《Light Fortress》 Chapter 1 - 1 1 001 ?1: Chapter 1 001 1: Chapter 1 001 11:44 pm. Gu Shen dashed around the empty monorail station, glancing down at his watch as he ran. Could he still catch the last train... He was worried, but a low rumble immediately sounded in the distance. ¡°Rumble rumble¡ª¡± In the dark, pitch-black tunnel, a myriad of brilliant arcs of light burst forth in an instant, and the last monorail train slowly decelerated, coming to a stable stop in front of Gu Shen. Seeing the train, Gu Shen just breathed a sigh of relief, then furrowed his brow and held his breath. As the doors opened, a smell of rust wafted over. He took two steps back, examining the train. The carriage was old, rust-streaked and worn, and beside the window, three neat numbers were painted in white: 001. ¡°If I remember correctly, Da Teng City... should¡¯ve phased out this kind of train a while ago, right?¡± ¡°Beep beep beep¡ª¡± Without time to think further, Gu Shen crouched and shot into the carriage, squeezing in a hair¡¯s breadth from the closing doors. Gripping the handrail, he exhaled in relief. His peripheral vision caught a glimpse. ¡°Oh...¡± Gu Shen¡¯s heartbeat missed a beat. Usually, this monorail heading to the remote suburbs was empty on the last train, with only him aboard, but today... There was another girl in the carriage. Gu Shen felt his heart suddenly racing. The girl was sitting directly opposite him, only a few dozen centimeters away, with apricot eyes and peach cheeks, her long hair cascading down, wearing a nearly transparent pure white lace dress so thin, her pale shoulders were exposed, revealing vast swaths of skin as white as snow. The thin dress was very white. But the girl was even whiter, dazzlingly so. The girl was barefoot, lightly tiptoeing on the floor of the carriage... a thick book lay open on her knees as she quietly read. That girl was too perfect, exuding a unique aura that was hard to articulate, as if she didn¡¯t belong in the real world. Looking at her, Gu Shen felt as though he saw a beam of light. Quiet, soft, holy, ethereal. During a pause in turning the pages, the girl lifted her head. Their gazes met, and Gu Shen quickly averted his eyes, rubbing his hands and exhaling to cover his embarrassment. He wondered if he was dreaming. How could there be such a beautiful girl in this world? And... wasn¡¯t she cold, wearing so little? He really wanted to offer her his coat. ... ... [The second person... has boarded.] The girl lifted her head, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, and then she closed the book, seriously sizing up the youth who had just boarded. Although the young man was now cowering in a corner of the train, warming his hands, and smiling foolishly to himself, he was unaware of what ¡°boarding¡± meant. But she knew very well, this was no coincidence. ¡°Woo¡ª¡± The monorail started slowly, electric arcs splashing back and forth against the tunnel walls. Though the train was old, it rode extremely smoothly. The sound of the electric arcs hitting the glass was muted to a soft rustling, like rain washing over. Neither of them spoke, maintaining the silence. If no one spoke up, the train would pass through the long tunnel, silently traveling for about twenty minutes to reach the final station. But this calm did not last long and was soon broken by the girl¡¯s clear voice. ¡°A very important question, does a true ¦Ð exist between 3 and 4?¡± Gu Shen thought he must be hallucinating. Was she talking to him? Surprised, he turned his head, looked around the empty carriage, met the girl¡¯s earnest gaze, pointed to himself, and the girl nodded earnestly. He chuckled awkwardly. She was indeed speaking to him. ¡°Between 3 and 4... does a true ¦Ð exist?¡± What kind of question was that? The answer was obviously, yes. But at that moment, Gu Shen hesitated, not answering immediately. For a simple reason. Beneath those clear pupils staring straight at him, reflecting a deadly serious shimmer, Gu Shen believed... this seemingly simple question was not so simple. The girl stretched out a hand, pointing behind Gu Shen. Gu Shen turned around. The interior of this old carriage had, unnoticed by anyone, been carved with a patchy mural... What could be vaguely made out was an old ruler with an endless scale, stretching to who knows where, but what could be clearly seen were the numbers 3 and 4, boldly marked. ¡°If you could touch this Ruler...¡± The girl reached out a hand, touching the ruler through the air. Her voice became light, like a breeze sweeping through the carriage, carrying a faint sadness. ¡°Could you touch ¦Ð?¡± Gu Shen was taken aback. He suddenly understood the true meaning of the question, a number infinitely non-repetitive, a number that existed only in theory. The precision of this number was infinite. Yet the precision of a ruler was finite. This Ruler, even if magnified by a hundred million times, would never have a point that belonged to the infinitely precise ¡°¦Ð¡±. ¡°Gu Shen... what is your answer?¡± Gu Shen felt bewildered; did she know his name? The hand the girl had stretched out slowly opened up, revealing a silver cross pattern flowing in her palm, emitting a radiant glow. The moment Gu Shen saw the glowing cross, he felt a familiarity and warmth, as if returning to some old dream, and he couldn¡¯t help but make the same gesture, the young boy reaching out his hand, wanting to interlock fingers with the girl. ¡°Pfft.¡± The girl chuckled at the gesture. There was no touch as he had imagined. The girl in the pure white dress drew back her hand, retreating step by step to the far end of Gu Shen¡¯s field of vision, her smile fading bit by bit until only solemnity and seriousness remained. ¡°Gu Shen...¡± ¡°...survive.¡± The wind in the carriage suddenly dissipated. ¡°Rumble rumble rumble!¡± The monorail exited the tunnel¡ª The source of light above Gu Shen¡¯s head shattered in an instant. If there really were such things as daydreams in this world, then what Gu Shen had just experienced was the most wonderful daydream of his eighteen years, even though it occurred at night. But as the monorail left the tunnel and the beautiful dream shattered, he abruptly became aware... everything had changed. The patchy carriage, in the moment it exited the tunnel, seemed to have been cleansed by an invisible force. The monorail began to tremble, the entire carriage engulfed in violent shaking, like a segment of a bent steel serpent, bumping and rising, with the sparks that erupted outside the window snuffed out in this instant. The hub clashing with the tracks, the grating noise in his ears shattered the beautiful dream. Gu Shen looked on with hairs standing on end at the scene before him. The light in the entire carriage dimmed, still empty and desolate. But the seat previously occupied by the girl was now taken by a tall woman in a black dress. She wore an oversized hat that could cover her entire face, her hands holding a stack of yellowed, old newspapers, reading in the fragmented light. Even seated, she was nearly as tall as Gu Shen. If she stood up... Perhaps over two meters tall? 11:59 PM. Glancing at the time, Gu Shen¡¯s face paled a bit. He might have encountered some anomaly that conventional cognition could not explain... Although the carriage lights were dim, he could vaguely see the armrests of the seats were brand new. The patchiness and rust he previously saw everywhere had vanished. Had he really spent 15 minutes in such a carriage? Every word spoken by that girl burned into his memory, especially the last three. Survive. Gu Shen felt a tingling on his scalp as he carefully observed the tall lady immersed in her newspaper reading, sensing a strong danger in his heart. Just as his gaze swept over, As if by telepathy¡ª The tall woman in the black dress, who gave off a great sense of oppression, slowly lifted her head, and Gu Shen saw two dark, deep red glows emanating from beneath the dark brim of her hat. ¡°Sir.¡± The woman in the black dress folded up the newspaper, raising her head and inquiring in a low, polite voice: ¡°I have a very important question... I¡¯d like to ask.¡± ¡°Please, go ahead.¡± Gu Shen clenched his fingers tightly, took a deep breath, and tried his best to keep calm. His response seemed irrelevant. Because after the lady finished speaking, she took out a boning knife on her own initiative, placing it on the newspaper on her lap and slowly wiping it, staining the paper with more and more blood. Then... she opened her dress, where a silver ruler dangled inside her lapel, her two fingers with red nail polish caressed back and forth between the 3 and 4 marks on the ruler. ¡°Just now.¡± The tall woman sat up straight, gripping the boning knife, tilted her head, puzzled, and asked: ¡°Did I... touch ¦Ð?¡± ... ... (New book release, two updates every day at 8 PM and 10 PM~) Chapter 2 - 2 2 Answers ?2: Chapter 2 Answers 2: Chapter 2 Answers ¡°The gates have shattered, A-009 has escaped.¡± ¡°Repeat, the gates have shattered, A-009 has escaped.¡± This night, with the alarms blaring, some people in Da Teng City were destined to have a sleepless night. Wei Shu stared at the dozens of flickering screens in the emergency meeting room, his expression taut, the emergency report in his hand creased with layer upon layer of wrinkles. Veins throbbed on his forehead as he slammed his fists down onto the console in front of him, unable to comprehend, ¡°How could the gates have been breached? With so many guards in the prison, how did A-009 escape?¡± ¡°Da Teng City took over A-009 just three days ago, and now there¡¯s been an escape. The emergency report states the gates shattered due to a network problem with ¡®Deep Sea¡¯... but how could there be an issue with ¡®Deep Sea¡¯?¡± Wei Shu turned and looked behind him, ¡°Regardless, it has already escaped. Miss Nan Jin, as the officer in charge of escorting A-009, you should be very clear about the danger after its escape... We need to recapture and contain it as soon as possible!¡± At the entrance to the meeting room, a woman with red hair, wearing a black, oversized trench coat, had her hands behind her head, winding up her long hair. She did not respond to Wei Shu, but instead gazed calmly at the flickering screens. Dozens of staff members each manned a screen, and every screen was split into tens of partitions, all surveillance from the gates to the containment city had been called up, yet no one spotted anything amiss... After the alarm for the shattered gates went off, A-009 seemed to have vanished into thin air. The surveillance network could capture the trail of a mosquito flying by, but it couldn¡¯t capture a single hair from A-009. Nan Jin slowly wound her hair. Her gaze turned pitch-black, lifeless, and at the same time, the light from the dozens of screens, hundreds of surveillance feeds, in her eyes, suddenly slowed down. A-009 hadn¡¯t truly disappeared. It didn¡¯t have the ability to teleport. It was just too fast, so fast that... the ordinary staff members, unless they slowed down the playback speed, simply couldn¡¯t capture its movement. Noticing the change in the light in Nan Jin¡¯s eyes, Wei Shu¡¯s expression became serious. He raised his hand and made a gesture, signaling his subordinates to be quiet and not to disturb Nan Jin¡¯s observation. The entire meeting room fell silent. Eventually, Nan Jin locked onto a screen and, in a view slowed down by nearly twenty times, the shadow of A-009 appeared, like a shroud of crows casting a gloom that could oppress the heart with just a glance. The woman¡¯s gaze slowly moved from one screen to another, all the while sketching out a winding escape route on the mental map in her mind. As she gazed, a pair of lifeless pupils slowly leaked two streams of tears. ¡°It was last seen on... Light Rail 13. The last stretch of the train¡¯s journey is long; it can¡¯t get off.¡± The trench-coated woman glanced at the time and said softly, ¡°If we take a shortcut, we could catch it at the tunnel exit.¡± Wei Shu was already poised in front of the console. At the mention of Line 13, he immediately pulled up the surveillance of several main roads along the route and slowed down the playback speed. Sure enough, he saw that ghostly, specter-like shadow... After breaking through the gates and escaping, the shadow fled towards the outskirts of Da Teng City. ¡°You want to intercept it alone?¡± Wei Shu frowned. ¡°Capturing a Class A fugitive is not a trivial matter. I suggest you seek help from Mr. Shu directly.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no time. The teacher is busy... If you can guarantee backup, then I can handle this.¡± Nan Jin turned to Wei Shu and coldly asked, ¡°Besides, can you afford to wait? If we miss this chance, the next opportunity to pin it down... might be who knows when.¡± This woman was very sharp. Wei Shu¡¯s expression darkened. She was right... This was a rare opportunity that shouldn¡¯t be missed. And it seemed A-009 was determined to flee Da Teng. After tonight, trying to track it down would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. ¡°Then... action! As long as you can hold A-009 back, I will guarantee enough backup!¡± Wei Shu made up his mind and felt a sense of relief deep inside. Fortunately, it was Line 13... At this time of night, this type of light rail heading to a remote suburb wouldn¡¯t have passengers. ¡°Wait... what is that?¡± ¡°Zoom in.¡± ¡°Zoom in more.¡± All of a sudden, Wei Shu saw a darting black dot in the final frame of surveillance. At the same time, a series of black lines also appeared above his head... After the surveillance image was enlarged, one could vaguely see a boy around seventeen or eighteen years old, sprinting to catch the last train that was about to depart. Who was this unfortunate soul? ¡°...Can you save him?¡± Wei Shu looked at Nan Jin. The trench-coated woman was silent. ¡°Line 13 will pass through a long tunnel. He will be with A-009 for at least... 20 minutes.¡± Nan Jin looked down at her watch and emotionlessly made a dark joke, ¡°By the time I get there, it should still be warm.¡± Wei Shu¡¯s expression was complicated. He had read the file and knew all too well what it meant to spend 20 minutes with A-009. If it could still be warm, that was already not bad. A silent prayer for the boy. Then, he composed himself, inhaling deeply, casting aside these stray thoughts. The most important thing now was to direct the upcoming containment operation. He had committed himself to this course of action; there was no turning back. Tonight, they had to successfully recapture A-009 to keep the losses to a minimum... ¡°Link to ¡®Deep Sea,¡¯ authorize access, I need assistance.¡± Chapter 3 - 3 2 Answer_2 ?3: Chapter 2 Answer_2 3: Chapter 2 Answer_2 Wei Shu¡¯s voice echoed in the control room. When he mentioned the term ¡°Deep Sea¡±, the responsible person¡¯s gaze became significantly stern, as the emergency report they had just received suggested that the escape of A-009 was due to an operational failure within the Deep Sea system. Wei Shu was unable to fully trust this report. Because the ¡°Deep Sea¡±, a vast network covering and interconnecting the entire East Continent, had been operating meticulously and seamlessly for over 20 years, flawlessly completing all tasks in the millions of incidents processed, without a single error... And this time, he would rather believe it was a staff misreport, as there were misreports every year, which were always later proven to be human errors. The large screen dimmed, displaying a loading screen with layers of ocean waves sweeping across, the loading animation in the bottom right corner was very retro. Upon closer inspection, it appeared as a blurry image of a young girl made of mosaic, running in place on the sand. Wei Shu tapped his fingers, waiting patiently. Finally, the room brightened up, and a crisp, gentle voice rang throughout the control room. ¡°Deep Sea is now connected... Serial number V349708069527, it is a pleasure to serve you.¡± ... ... The lights dimmed. The train jolted. This light rail was like a serpent slithering towards the shattered edge of the night. And inside this serpent¡¯s belly was Gu Shen, who saw the eyes of the tall lady. Her eyes, emitting a red glow and completely unlike those of an ordinary person, were serpentine and narrow as swords. The lady¡¯s voice resonated in the empty train compartment. ¡°Yes... clearly, you¡¯ve touched upon it.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s reply followed immediately, with cold sweat on his forehead and his voice trembling, yet his consciousness was clearer than ever at this moment. One hand touching the Ruler, the other clutching a sharp knife. The lady in the tall gown paused, seemingly a bit disappointed. She paused for a moment, then continued to inquire politely, ¡°So... why is that?¡± In the dim Blazing Light, Gu Shen closely stared at the blood-stained old newspaper beneath the lady¡¯s knees, attempting to make out the content on it, but the light was too dim to see clearly. Gu Shen chuckled softly, ¡°Madam... forgive my candor, not everything can be perfectly embodied, but as we touch on broader realms, what we hold is only greater than imagined. Between 3 and 4, infinity is encompassed.¡± The red gleam in the tall lady¡¯s serpentine pupils flickered slightly. She moved her lips, seemingly with a smile. Seeing this smile, Gu Shen felt a chill down his spine, maintaining a relatively safe distance as he slowly moved forward, the oppressive feeling hanging over his heart still not dissipating. He had no doubt that a single wrong word, even a single letter... might trigger the conditions for the gown-clad lady to draw her knife. Thus, he could only remain silent, quietly closing in on the lady in silence. The newspaper was his only means of gaining information about her, and being able to see it might be helpful. But the lady merely softly uttered two words: ¡°Continue.¡± ¡°...¦Ð is an infinite, non-repeating constant, implying that it possesses endless precision, yet on a finite ruler, no point can accurately mark ¦Ð.¡± As Gu Shen spoke, he tried to stabilize his opponent, simultaneously bending down in the cramped space, looking up at the tall woman. This statement seemed to upset her, as the smile on her lips disappeared instantly, and her gaze turned ice-cold, like a serpent¡¯s. She gripped a bone-picking knife, and a cold wind churned through the light rail, chilling to the marrow. It was at this moment that Gu Shen saw the trembling newspaper in the wind, the crimson blood letters... it was a series of mathematical symbols, along with proof formulas. They looked familiar. He had seen them somewhere before. His brain was frantically working. Gu Shen recalled the first time he saw the woman, she was engrossed in reading the newspaper. A realization dawned on him. ¡°Even so, I still firmly believe that between 3 and 4, ¦Ð can be touched.¡± Gu Shen raised his head, his voice a bit hoarse. ¡°Madam... As for the reason, you and I both know, don¡¯t we?¡± ¡°Allen Turing.¡± When Gu Shen uttered this name, the tall lady¡¯s body visibly shook. She stared at Gu Shen in astonishment. Yes, Gu Shen had found the ¡°answer¡±... The lady let him continue, not wanting to hear the proof process but seeking a common aspiration. The dense mathematical symbols and proof formulas on the newspaper page all pointed to the ultimate figure, whom the tall lady held in fanatic reverence. All she wanted to hear was this name. Allen Turing. The renowned figure who created the Deep Sea Network, scarcely anyone knew he was also a mathematician. In the realm of mathematics, ¦Ð was easily within the set between 3 and 4. In the realm of physics, ¦Ð seemed like a nonexistent fictitious number, untouchable and unable to be denoted by any scale. After this name was spoken. The cold wind in the monorail suddenly ceased. The flickering lights seemed to extinguish as well. The lady¡¯s expression softened, and she reached out a hand, seemingly to help Gu Shen up, but a Ruler slid out from her sleeve, the silver measuring rod she had used earlier. Gu Shen was stunned for a moment, instinctively reaching out to catch the Ruler. The next moment¡ª The two connected by the Ruler parted. The monorail exited the tunnel. A howling wind pounded down, a sudden sense of weightlessness assailed Gu Shen, uncontrollably thrown and clutching the Ruler, he slammed heavily onto the floor. ¡°Thud!¡± Gu Shen¡¯s complexion changed as he heard a dull thud, like something heavy had crashed on top of the monorail car, right above his head, visibly leaving a pair of footprints¡ª Sparks and arcs of electricity erupted everywhere. Accompanied by a piercing, sharp roar, a long knife diagonally pierced through the car¡¯s metal body, embedding accurately into the shoulder of the tall lady in the evening dress, nailing her firmly to the side of the car like a peg. Immediately following, a second knife entered the top of the car, the blade rotating like cutting paper, and a large piece of the car¡¯s metal roof fell off as a woman in a long coat and red hair landed heavily on the metal. Nan Jin landed right in front of Gu Shen. She squinted her eyes, glanced back at the young man behind her who had fallen sitting down while clutching his clothes, and reported with utter calm. ¡°Wei Shu... that unlucky guy is still alive.¡± Unlucky guy, that¡¯s a fitting nickname, at least very apt... Gu Shen grimaced, clinging to the railing to stabilize himself, the previous impact had hurt terribly, his butt felt like it was split into eight pieces. Right now, his entire body felt nothing but pain and dizziness. He carefully cradled the Ruler inside his chest, hiding it on the inner side of his coat. The Ruler¡¯s touch was unexpectedly cool, making him exceptionally alert. Meanwhile, the lady in the black evening dress nailed to the side of the car was furiously angry. She reached out a hand towards the long blade nailed in her body, attempting to pull it out. ¡°Hiss¡ª¡± The moment her five fingers touched the long blade, the blade flamed up, brilliant silver light illuminating the entire car! The lady screamed in agony, forced to release her grip. The silver blade burned with intense light and fire, but the flames were quickly dimming¡ª Clearly, time was limited. But at this moment, Nan Jin did not act; instead, she chose to wait. She was waiting for instructions from Wei Shu. The sound of electricity crackled. ¡°Change the combat location, first rescue this young man named ¡®Gu Shen¡¯.¡± Wei Shu¡¯s voice sounded, word by word, devoid of emotion: ¡°Do not engage in battle with A-009 on the train, this is the optimal solution given by Deep Sea.¡± Chapter 4 - 4 3 Fierce Battle ?4: Chapter 3: Fierce Battle 4: Chapter 3: Fierce Battle The best solution given by Deep Sea is to rescue this teenager first? Actually, Nan Jin wasn¡¯t surprised to hear this answer. She was well aware of what it meant to coexist with A-009 for 20 minutes without incident... This was an out-of-control with a danger level reaching A. This wasn¡¯t something that could simply be explained by good luck. The data showed that A-009 was frantically pursuing some truth that ordinary people couldn¡¯t understand. Gu Shen being able to coexist peacefully with her couldn¡¯t be an accident... Could it be that this boy was also a madman? There was no time to think more about it. Wei Shu¡¯s voice rang out again: ¡°I will sever this carriage. Next, you need to take him and get away.¡± ¡°Rumbling¡ª¡ª¡± The light rail sprinted wildly through the nighttime wind on the outskirts of Da Teng City, a dull sound of breaking resounded, the carriage shed its connections with the other carriages behind it, the wheels gripped tightly amid the violent friction, and because of inertia, the entire carriage ¡°slowly¡± lifted off from the bottom. Nan Jin, expressionless: ¡°Hold on to me.¡± Gu Shen: ¡°???¡± He lunged forward abruptly, unabashedly wrapping his arms around Nan Jin¡¯s slender waist. Underneath her wide coat was a warm, slender torso; Gu Shen felt several cold and smooth contours... The woman had three swords of varying lengths hanging at her waist. Recalling the cold light that had previously cut through the train, he couldn¡¯t help shivering uncontrollably. A jolt! The train carriage was almost airborne, with the two of them standing on the bottom of the carriage, sliding down at an angle almost perpendicular to the ground. Nan Jin stepped out rapidly in broken steps, not at all like someone whose waist was wrapped around a big man, and due to the carriage being overturned, she seemed like a night cat running along rooftops, the entire world was turned upside down, only she remained balanced. Stopping breath and focusing spirit, both hands wielding swords in a cross slash. The bright blade light pierced the darkness. ¡°Clang, clang, clang¡± three crisp sounds! The bone-picking knife blocked the blade! But once again, a painful groan came from Madam¡¯s throat, and even Gu Shen could see the string of fresh red Blood Pearls fluttering out from the open black dress. The moment she drew her sword, all the color in Nan Jin¡¯s eyes faded away, turning into sheer coldness. She did not pursue victory greedily, although she broke through after the blocking and thrust a knife precisely into the chest of the tall lady, she immediately turned back. At the critical moment, Nan Jin¡¯s hand swept out like lightning, gripping Gu Shen¡¯s collar tightly. As the carriage rolled 90 degrees, she crouched down fiercely and stomped a boot down, shattering the tempered glass, sinking like a diver diving down. The shattered glass, the rolling electric arcs, were like seaweed floating in the Deep Sea. The derailed carriage was like a submarine rising, but this was land, not the ocean. The carriage tumbled from the track forcibly, like a giant stone rolling down a slope, hitting the ground inevitably, bouncing continuously, scraping out millions of brilliant arcs, and at the last moment before overturning, two figures leaped perilously from the night sky, landing on a piece of lawn. Nan Jin dusted off her coat, her gaze remained tightly fixed on the shattered carriage sliding far away for four or five hundred meters. After falling off the track, the carriage lay silent, deathly quiet. With dust rising, she didn¡¯t let her guard down, instead drawing the third sword from her waist and reporting coldly, ¡°Target rescued... A-009 is still in the carriage.¡± Wei Shu quickly responded: ¡°Seal off the surroundings, reinforcements will arrive soon, don¡¯t let it escape.¡± Nan Jin hummed softly in acknowledgment. ¡°Click...¡± Her gaze caught that the carriage, after a spell of deathly silence, moved slightly... Nan Jin immediately grabbed the fourth sword with her backhand, drawing it out. With a sword in each hand, she felt much more at ease, but something didn¡¯t feel quite right on her body. Nan Jin looked down and realized the reason: ¡°How long do you plan to hold on?¡± ¡°Can I hold on a little longer?¡± The young man clung to her leg unscrupulously, showing a flattering smile: ¡°Big brother... I¡¯m really scared.¡± Was this expression really one of fear? He had been chatting happily with A-009 when she was cutting the carriage. ¡°A-009¡¯s ability is corruption,¡± said Nan Jin with an expressionless face. ¡°Under normal circumstances... She can contaminate anything she touches, including but not limited to knives, swords, metals, firearms... and people.¡± As Gu Shen recalled the last scene on the train, the scene of the lady in the dress smiling and reaching out her hand to him, he shivered uncontrollably. Corruption? This was too frightening... He had accepted the Ruler, there wouldn¡¯t be any problems, right? ¡°During the recent fight, I can¡¯t be sure that these clothes have had no contact with it.¡± With Nan Jin¡¯s casual words, Gu Shen let go of the coat as if it were burning hot. ¡°Big brother still has a fierce battle ahead, good luck good luck...¡± While cheering, Gu Shen cautiously asked, ¡°My abilities are indeed very limited... Perhaps I should withdraw first?¡± Honestly, he wanted to run away. When immortals fight, it¡¯s best to stay out of their way. ¡°If you want to leave... you¡¯re welcome to try,¡± Nan Jin glanced at the young man with the corner of her eye, and sneered, ¡°This time next year, I¡¯ll make sure to burn some paper money for you.¡± Gu Shen: ¡°???¡± ¡°This area has been sealed, I suggest you do not leave my line of sight... because I cannot truly restrict A-009. Her nature is obsessive and insane, and if she insists on killing you, no matter how far you run, it will be of no use.¡± Nan Jin gently inserted two long swords into the ground, put on specially made white silk gloves, then gripped the swords again and took a stance facing a silent and dilapidated carriage as if facing a formidable enemy. She gave her final warning in a low voice, ¡°Before reinforcements arrive, I can only offer protection to this small area. The further you run, the faster you¡¯ll die.¡± The night wind surged. To the naked eye, streaks of silver light emerged from the darkness, like fireflies eventually coiling around the edges of the two swords held in opposed stances. Nan Jin, holding the swords, now seemed like a galaxy in the night sky. Gu Shen swallowed hard; he could no longer use his knowledge to explain the scene before him... What exactly were these snow-white energies flowing like wind made of? Could it be the legendary ¡°Sword Gang¡±? Then there was a muffled thud. With a ¡°bang,¡± an alarming collision sound burst above the carriage. To be precise, it was coming from under the carriage. After it had overturned, the metal carriage was upside down, and amidst the shaking dust cloud, a force seemed to push it from inside out, slowly righting it. A moment later... a tall figure slowly emerged from the shadowy, dust-filled air. The lady pushed open the carriage door, bent her waist, and walked out slowly as if a noble, maintaining her dignity throughout the process, even carefully holding her broad hat with one hand. Seen from afar, her height was level with the overturned train¡ªshe was like a walking giant. The two ¡°long swords¡± that had been stuck into the lady¡¯s chest had already been corroded by a force of decay at this point. A gust of wind blew them to pieces, along with the secret silver patterns, into ash. From within the dust, the tall woman slowly turned around, surveyed the surroundings, and finally stopped, looking towards Nan Jin. A eerie red light seeped from within her Snake Eyes. Merely making eye contact, Gu Shen felt his blood run cold, and Nan Jin was right... he should never have run away on his own. If that thing set its sights on him, he had no chance of survival. The next moment... A horrifying event occurred¡ª The tall woman in formal dress, slightly on tiptoe, slowly lifted the corner of her dress and curtsied in an ancient and proper fashion. As the courtesy ended, hundreds of meters of lawn exploded with dozens of muddy spouts of water. In one second, she had reached Nan Jin¡¯s sword range, her blade wrapped in an old newspaper slashing at the crossing point of the two swords. ¡°Clang!¡± The sound resonated deeply, Gu Shen felt as if struck by a distant hammer, his ears ringing, and he fell heavily to the ground. Is this really a boning knife? It¡¯s more like a bone-smashing hammer! He watched the formidable woman in front of him retract her sword and step back; her coat was whipped up by the fierce wind, fluttering wildly, and at that moment she seemed like a majestic Valkyrie, mighty as if she could pull down mountains and cover the skies, casually withstanding that mountainous strike. Then she struck with her swords, retreating¡ª Silver Sword Gang surged with the wind, ferociously overwhelming! The woman, steadying her stance, delivered dozens, hundreds of sword strikes in an instant; the dazzling sword light almost seemed to illuminate the night! A deep roar erupted, and in an instant, A-009 was engulfed by the radiant sword light. Her towering form, like a lone flower amidst the waves, was instantly sent flying back, crashing heavily back into the carriage buried in smoke and dust. The dust had not yet settled. Once again, that immense oppressive sensation returned. The woman in the formal dress who had been sent flying by the sword strike, with tiny scurrying steps, and an exaggerated speed, attacked again¡ª Nan Jin¡¯s expression was icy as she readied her sword for a second time. ¡°Boom!¡± A third time! A fourth time! The high-frequency explosive air currents alternately bombarded, almost causing Gu Shen to experience tinnitus, and that was while hiding behind Nan Jin. At that moment, apart from the noise of the bombardment, he could hear nothing else. ¡°...Wei Shu.¡± Nan Jin was in bad shape, blood spilling from her lips, blood vessels in her eyes kept surfacing, almost converging to the pupil and completely turning them red. This encounter with A-009 was different from the file records; something odd had happened. What exactly had she experienced to become so frenzied? Even in such a sorry state, Nan Jin remained calm and asked into the earpiece connected to the control room, ¡°How much longer until reinforcements arrive?¡± Chapter 5 - 5 4 Slice Study ?5: Chapter 4 Slice Study 5: Chapter 4 Slice Study ¡°One minute.¡± Wei Shu¡¯s voice was the last tranquility in the noisy world. He sat alone in the control room, linking to the Deep Sea, and once the access was granted, he seemed to become an extension of that omnipotent computer, with his consciousness and thoughts spreading outwards. The entire map of Da Teng City lay before him. Wei Shu saw the images transmitted in real time; he also saw A-009¡¯s frenzied lunges, all the images being transformed into data, which streamed in like a tidal wave, roaring and synchronizing as they uploaded... It was just a pity that at this moment, these data were meaningless, as A-009¡¯s power, speed, and resilience were far superior to Nan Jin¡¯s. The balance maintained by her force-depleting swordplay would soon be broken. Wei Shu was well aware of this. A minute in reality was very short... but at this moment, every second could be Nan Jin¡¯s limit. With each attack from A-009, she was pushed closer to the edge of exhaustion. She could collapse at any moment before reinforcements arrived. ¡°A-009... why has it become so crazed?¡± In a moment of utter silence, Wei Shu, linked to the Deep Sea, began to ponder this question. Moving concurrently, he pulled up the footage from subway line 13 and sped it up... Under the Deep Sea link, a torrent of information flooded his mind. Wei Shu furrowed his brows. Much of the information was corrupted, the footage fragmented, cut off by some unknown external force. Then, his pupils slowly contracted as he saw a surviving segment of the surveillance footage... In it, A-009 behaved uncharacteristically gently, conversing calmly with a boy named Gu Shen. ... ... ¡°60...¡± ¡°59...¡± Nan Jin closed her eyes, feeling each second drag like an eternity as she counted down silently within herself. She was still holding on, but her cheeks were covered with trails of blood and tears, and the two long swords vibrating rapidly in her hands were on the brink of shattering, their secret patterns almost completely eroded. Like a drowning person with no way out, she could be submerged at any moment. The ¡°one minute¡± promised by Wei Shu was the only lifeline she could grasp. ¡°40...¡± ¡°39...¡± In her despair, an urgent voice arose. ¡°Nan Jin... give up resisting. Use Gu Shen as a shield when A-009 breaks through the Sword Domain.¡± Nan Jin quickly glanced at the boy behind her. Gu Shen¡¯s head buzzed, oblivious to what was happening. Over at the electrical side, Wei Shu¡¯s voice was quite certain: ¡°...Trust me.¡± ¡°Clang¡ª¡± the final crisp sound, the long sword shattered. Nan Jin, with no time to think, stepped back decisively to the boy¡¯s side. Before her, the tall lady dressed in formal attire, having breached the Sword Domain, bore down with a hideous expression, raising her knife for a strike. In the blink of an eye, Nan Jin grasped the collar of Gu Shen¡¯s back and hoisted him up. ¡°Bloody hell¡ª¡± Gu Shen¡¯s mind went blank; the woman was incredibly strong, and he couldn¡¯t resist at all. He was like a sandbag, picked up and dangled in front of her in an instant. Was this it, using him as a human shield?! The tempest approached. Gu Shen closed his eyes, ready to face the end of his life. ... ... All sound ceased¡ª There was calm. Nothing happened. The tall lady, holding a sharp knife, hovered in front of Gu Shen, halting her downward slashing motion. Beneath the shadow of her wide-brimmed hat, two faint red glows slowly vanished. Nan Jin was stunned... Wei Shu had told the truth. For reasons unknown, using the boy as a shield, A-009 halted its ferocious assault on its own. The tall woman, who had ceased all actions, suddenly became still. She neither attacked nor fled, simply maintaining the silent standoff. Gu Shen felt the focus of her gaze... the tall lady put away her boning knife, ¡°3...2...1...¡± The mental countdown ended, and the promised one minute from Wei Shu was up. Nan Jin lifted her head. ¡°Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh¡ª¡± The silence of the suburban night sky shattered, and in the distance the roar of helicopter rotors could be heard, one beam of light after another piercing the night clouds, converging on the three figures on the lawn. The helicopter¡¯s side hatch slid open¡ª Nan Jin looked up into the light to see a familiar face. The ¡°reinforcement¡± Wei Shu had called for turned out to be... With a complex expression, the woman exhaled deeply, her tense nerves finally relaxing. ... ... ¡°Nan Jin... I need to thank you on behalf of Da Teng City for successfully delaying A-009.¡± The moment he saw the helicopter arrive¡ª Wei Shu knew the mission to detain A-009 had ended. Wei Shu exited the linked state from the control room, his complexion pale as paper. With each link to Deep Sea, a massive amount of data was uploaded. Digesting such an immense volume of information was no easy feat. Veins bulged at Wei Shu¡¯s temples, accompanied by throbbing pain, and his back was already soaked with sweat. Completely drained. At this moment, the man could only sit weakly in his chair, finding even the act of moving a finger to be an effort. The woman on the other end of the earpiece remained silent. ¡°...¡± Wei Shu knew what this silence meant. He chuckled without sound, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for one thing. I¡¯ve reported the operation to Mr. Shu through ¡®Deep Sea¡¯. The level of A-009 is too high. If we failed, neither of us could bear the responsibility... If I¡¯m not mistaken, Mr. Shu should have already arrived.¡± ¡°... Yes, I have seen him.¡± Nan Jin didn¡¯t say much, tiredly ending the call. She knew Wei Shu had made a very correct decision. ¡°Roar¡ª¡ª¡± Grass and debris flew about. As the helicopter landed, an invisible, gentle force dispersed. The oppressive sensation brought by A-009 was slowly suppressed by an even stronger force. The woman in the black dress tried to move, but dozens of thick vines exploded from below her feet, wrapping around her and binding her. Within a few seconds, she had become a frozen wood carving¡ª The vines wrapping around the tall lady kept growing, tightening, and constricting the dress, becoming more secure. But if one observed carefully, as the vines wrapped, a faint hissing could be heard. That was the corrosive power of A-009 taking effect¡ªthe binding of these vines was powerful, but it also had a time limit. Amid the light from the helicopter, an elderly man in a Zhongshan suit slowly stepped out. ¡°Teacher...¡± Nan Jin had a complicated look, wanting to say something. The old man smiled and waved his hand, motioning for Nan Jin to lighten up. ¡°Well done.¡± He walked slowly with his purple wooden dragon-headed cane towards the wood-carved lady, examining A-009 bound by the vines, taking note of the traces of the battle with Nan Jin. The elder patted the tall lady¡¯s shoulder, laughing loudly, ¡°My Disciple certainly lives up to expectations. Now you even have the courage to challenge A-009, huh? But while courage is a good thing, dying on a whim is not... Value your life! It is precious, and it¡¯s not worth losing here!¡± ¡°...¡± Nan Jin felt a bit of regret and softly said, ¡°Given another chance, I would do better.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve already done well.¡± The elder stared at the wood carving, furrowing his brow: ¡°Compared to when I personally detained A-009 last time, she has become much stronger. That you could hold out until I arrived is already a miracle... However, I can¡¯t understand what could have riled her up in just three days?¡± Indeed, something had changed... Nan Jin hesitated, then said, ¡°The urgent report said that A-009¡¯s escape was due to a malfunction in Deep Sea.¡± ¡°Impossible.¡± Mr. Shu shook his head, stating definitively: ¡°Deep Sea cannot malfunction.¡± As he spoke, the elder paused suddenly. He looked at the youth Nan Jin was holding. Nan Jin also looked down, the young man she was holding sprawled on the ground, like a shrimp, clearly having passed out. ¡°...¡± At the last moment, it was fortunate to have him... he saved her life. It was hard to imagine A-009 not killing him. ¡°After A-009 escaped, she took the Line 13 train alone... This guy was with her in the same carriage for a good 20 minutes,¡± Nan Jin recalled a particular scene, her expression slightly changing as she spoke, ¡°When I cut open the carriage, I saw that A-009 didn¡¯t kill him. The two were coexisting peacefully.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± The elder¡¯s eyebrows lifted, interested. ¡°... Maybe just good luck,¡± Nan Jin rubbed her temple, trying to explain for Gu Shen. Mr. Shu watched Gu Shen for a while, smiling, ¡°A normal person surviving under A-009¡¯s hand... that luck is... too good. Take him back for a slice study.¡± The unconscious individual¡¯s eyelids twitched and he immediately jumped to his feet, predictably to be pinned down again without delay. Nan Jin¡¯s expression was strange. This kid was actually feigning unconsciousness? ¡°Ah ha... thinking of running away?¡± Mr. Shu laughed heartily, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, we are not good people at all.¡± He snapped his fingers. With a ¡°snap¡± sound, two vines sprouted from the mud, forming handcuffs that firmly locked Gu Shen¡¯s wrists. ¡°Not running, not running, I wouldn¡¯t dare to run, right?¡± Gu Shen promptly lay down and covered his head with his hands, adopting the classic posture of a man begging for mercy, ¡°Although you are holding a cane, look at me, my butt has blossomed, could I run faster than you?¡± Still daring to mock, Mr. Shu¡¯s lips twitched slightly, and he sneered coldly, ¡°Just come back with me for a visit. Everyone is quite interested in you.¡± ¡°Interested like slice study?¡± Gu Shen¡¯s face showed horror, becoming somewhat panicked. ¡°... Guess?¡± The elder stroked his chin, displaying a deeply meaningful ¡°friendly¡± smile. Several staff members placed the tall wood-carved lady into a huge, sealed container, and Gu Shen was taken along. The helicopter roared to life again. ¡°... Let¡¯s depart.¡± Chapter 6 - 6 5 Interrogation ?6: Chapter 5 Interrogation 6: Chapter 5 Interrogation ¡°Name.¡± ¡°...Gu Shen.¡± ¡°Age.¡± ¡°Seventeen, plus one month and three days till my birthday... I should remind you all that I¡¯m still a minor, so whatever you are thinking of doing, you¡¯d better think it through... Some actions carry legal responsibilities!¡± ¡°Gender.¡± ¡°???¡± Under the spotlight, in the interrogation room, there was a table, three people. Wei Shu on the left, Nan Jin on the right, and opposite them, Gu Shen who was handcuffed to the chair with vine handcuffs, wriggling like a catfish, ceaselessly making faces at the person on the right, continuously ignored. ¡°Residence.¡± ¡°...Dongzhou Qinghe District Dateng City North Ring Residence No. 13 Building 703... Are we going through personal identification here, big brother?¡± After routinely inquiring about personal information, Wei Shu nodded to the upper right corner camera as a signal. The basic information was correct; this teenager had not lied. In front of the screen, Mr. Shu, holding hot tea, snapped his fingers with a smile. ¡°Snap¡ª¡± In the interrogation room, the two vine handcuffs responded by loosening, turning into a flurry of ashes. Gu Shen sighed in relief, moved his wrists, and finally felt comfortable. He grinned at the camera, nodding in thanks... He could tell that the old man wasn¡¯t bad; the handcuffs that had bound him for half a day were tight but hadn¡¯t caused any injury. The interrogation had officially begun, but the chief interrogator Wei Shu sat down in his chair, lost in thought... On the helicopter ride to the interrogation room, he had read this teenager¡¯s file no less than ten times, from birth to significant incidents, he was actually a very ordinary young man. But at the last moment of the Deep Sea connection, a clip from a light rail train was provided to him. Under the effect of A-009¡¯s power, almost all the light sources in the train car shattered, and it was hard to see the specific details, but it could be seen... this teenager named Gu Shen remained absolutely calm while speaking with A-009. This was rare, but not remarkable. A-009 was an out-of-control ¡°Madwoman,¡± and her traits had not been fully uncovered... but obviously, staying calm in front of her was useless, as anyone else would likely end up as a... calm corpse. In the recording, this teenager somehow also made A-009 ¡°calm down¡±! Wei Shu slowly leaned forward, his otherwise handsome face turning eerily pale under the light. In an interrogation, this was a way to apply pressure. The shackles were placed on this young man because his ¡°dangerousness¡± could not yet be determined; someone who could ¡°tame¡± A-009 deserved all the caution in the world. According to past experiences, such people with ordinary files often harbored many unknown secrets, were skilled in disguise, and refused communication, even in an interrogation room they wouldn¡¯t cooperate, Wei Shu thought he was dealing with a hard nut to crack, and he was prepared for a prolonged battle. He stated each word clearly, ¡°You have the right to remain silent, but every word you say will become court evidence and will be recorded in the file.¡± The young man looked bewildered, well-played, but Wei Shu sharply caught him swallowing saliva. Hmm, a sign of nervousness... is it working? Wei Shu said, ¡°What happened on light rail number 13 last night at 11 PM? We already have the recording; just tell the truth...¡± ¡°Ah sir.¡± Gu Shen interrupted him, scratching his head: ¡°I¡¯m sorry... I¡¯m really thirsty; can I have some water?¡± Wei Shu frowned. ¡°Ah sir is curious about what happened on the train, right?¡± Gu Shen, after drinking water and clearing his throat, frantically gestured as he described the terrifying experience on the train: ¡°Let me tell you... that train was too scary. I¡¯m just a kid, and after boarding, I saw a giant, oh no, a burly lady...¡± Wei Shu stared blankly at Gu Shen as he vividly described his experience on the train. This was nothing like what he had imagined. This wasn¡¯t a silent and uncommunicative stubborn person but a social butterfly who voluntarily divulged everything. There were some minor issues with the light rail recording. It seemed to have been affected by A-009¡¯s power, and Deep Sea had only provided a small part of the footage right before exiting the tunnel; based on this teenager¡¯s vivid description, Wei Shu pieced together the entire event step by step. Half an hour later, the world finally became quiet. Gu Shen collapsed in his chair, drinking another large gulp of water, and eagerly asked, ¡°Ah sir, how was my narration just now?¡± He had concealed the part about encountering the girl in the white dress and the final silver ruler. This concealment was both a probe and a protection for himself. The other party seemed not to notice anything wrong... This made Gu Shen feel disappointed; it seemed that the train surveillance had been compromised. ¡°...You narrated well, no need to continue,¡± replied Nan Jin coldly. She glanced at the document in Wei Shu¡¯s hand, now filled with dense handwriting; this interrogation was undoubtedly fruitful as all the anticipated questions had been satisfactorily filled in. This young man had identified the traits of ¡°A-009¡± during their first encounter and successfully handled it, surviving... although the explanation sounded utterly incredible. But the living person was right before her. This boy named Gu Shen seemed harmless and innocent-faced, but Nan Jin was very clear that the incident on the train was not something that could be accomplished by mere luck... It required incredibly strong observational skills. ¡°Um...¡± Gu Shen cautiously asked, ¡°Mr. Officer, have you finished taking my statement? Can I go home now?¡± Nan Jin hesitated. Wei Shu was silent, stroking his fingers while looking at the statement, unsure of how to respond for a moment. ¡°Creak¡ª¡± Just then, the door of the interrogation room was slowly pushed open. ¡°Teacher.¡± Nan Jin respectfully stood up. Wei Shu hurriedly jogged over to deliver the files, while the elderly man leaning on a dragon-headed cane stood at the door. He glanced at the documents, then smiled and waved his hand to indicate that Wei Shu could stay. ¡°Young man, come here.¡± He smiled and beckoned to Gu Shen, ¡°I¡¯ll take you home.¡± That sentence sounded odd... Gu Shen took two steps back, smiling sheepishly, ¡°You must be very busy, sir? Actually, I suddenly don¡¯t really want to go home... Staying here is quite good, with heating and beauties, just bring me a blanket and that¡¯s enough.¡± ... ... 15 minutes later. A black business car slowly drove on the suburban road. Really slowly. At this pace... reaching the destination might have to wait until dawn. Gu Shen yawned greatly as he sat in the passenger seat. ¡°As one gets older, one must drive safely, especially in the dead of night... it would be bad to have an accident,¡± the elderly driver turned his head with a smile, ¡°Getting impatient, young man?¡± Gu Shen forced a smile, ¡°How dare I...¡± ¡°Your courage isn¡¯t that small.¡± Mr. Shu stated lightly, ¡°I saw the surveillance footage from the train, through closely observing A-009¡¯s newspaper to deduce the problem¡¯s ¡®answer¡¯, your observational skills are excellent, and you¡¯re also lucky. If there had been any physical contact then, you would already be a puddle of corpse fluid now.¡± Hmm... it seems the footage of me receiving the ¡°ruler¡± was lost. Gu Shen tightened his coat with an awkward laugh, ¡°Lucky, just lucky.¡± This elderly man, respectfully known as Mr. Shu, had a face marked by deep lines, yet his eyes were completely clear, without a hint of murkiness. One didn¡¯t feel the slightest pressure by his side; instead, it was like basking in a spring breeze. ¡°A normal person encountering a ¡®Transcendent event¡¯ wouldn¡¯t remain as calm as you did, and they wouldn¡¯t look so calm after surviving,¡± Mr. Shu laughed, ¡°We¡¯re alone this time, don¡¯t you have any questions you want to ask?¡± ¡°... Of course, I do,¡± Gu Shen sighed quietly, ¡°But some questions are better left unasked. I understand that much.¡± What a clever boy, the old man nodded in approval. But some questions don¡¯t necessarily need to be asked in order to be answered. ¡°A-009 was a member of the Ancient Literature Society before going out-of-control, an organization that spans the Five Continents, researching forbidden sciences. She successfully mastered the Extraordinary Power of ¡®corrosive dissolution¡¯ and also successfully sent herself to the deep abyss,¡± Mr. Shu rattled off a lot, ¡°Then... she turned into what she is now. Because of certain research needs, we didn¡¯t kill her directly but continued to detain and transfer her.¡± ¡°You¡¯re lucky to have seen her and even survived. Now, people have begun to take notice of you... The world is going to change soon. Wouldn¡¯t you consider hitching yourself to a bigger cause... like me?¡± After finishing, Mr. Shu smiled and looked at the young man. ¡°... Eh, what did you just say? I didn¡¯t hear it.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s poor acting feigned confusion, pointing out the car window, ¡°I¡¯ve been paying attention to that the whole time.¡± The car was driving very slowly, and there really was a lame dog pacing beside it, looking like they were racing and going at about the same speed. A black line appeared on the old man¡¯s forehead. A stomp on the gas pedal. Loud roaring shattered the night¡ª With intense thrust, Gu Shen was firmly pressed against the seat as the elderly driver emotionlessly floored the accelerator, navigating the slightly bulky business car agilely and speeding through the empty suburban night road. Ten minutes later. ¡°We¡¯re here.¡± The old man stopped the car, and Gu Shen dashed out the door, pale-faced and leaning against the wall to vomit... The old man¡¯s vindictiveness was too strong, the speed just now had soared to 180 km/h! While Gu Shen was vomiting, the old man observed the mottled, old tube building in front of him, his eyes hardening briefly, then teasingly said, ¡°You live here? So poor, huh? Really not considering hitching to something bigger?¡± ¡°Pff.¡± Gu Shen glared at the old man fiddling with his fingers, ¡°Poverty cannot sway my resolve, nor can force bend my pride, don¡¯t think about buying me off with money... I¡¯m very proud.¡± ¡°Oh... is that so?¡± Mr. Shu laughed heartily, ¡°Admirable, truly admirable.¡± ¡°To the proud young man, here¡¯s my number.¡± The old man slowly rolled up the window, slipping a piece of paper through the final gap, ¡°Call me anytime you change your mind.¡± Gu Shen glanced at the piece of paper and memorized the number. In a flash, the paper spontaneously combusted, turning slowly into ashes without flame, as the old man briskly drove away without dragging his feet, leaving behind the floating ash, stepping on the accelerator and disappearing into the distance. Chapter 7 - 7 6 Chu Ling ?7: Chapter 6 Chu Ling 7: Chapter 6 Chu Ling ¡°I¡¯m back¡ª¡ª¡± Gu Shen pushed open the door to his home and softly called out. The simple one-room apartment was completely empty, about forty square meters, containing nothing but a table and a bed. Describing it as ¡®bare walls¡¯ was no exaggeration. The bedroom¡¯s mottled light faintly flickered. Had he forgotten to turn off the holographic screen on the table when he left? Gu Shen paused for a moment. ¡°Meow¡ª¡ª¡± What usually responded to him was an eager call for food from a cat, only today¡¯s response was a bit delayed, and sounded much calmer than usual. An orange cat was squatting in front of the table¡¯s holographic screen, staring intently at the doorway. This was a stray cat, which Gu Shen had only recently picked up, named Ju Zhi. After bringing it home, he discovered... this cat could really eat. True to being ¡®Da Ju,¡¯ but somehow it didn¡¯t gain much weight; it ate but didn¡¯t get fat. Today so many things had happened; he got home past two in the morning. It must have been hard on the cat to wait until now. Gu Shen yawned, took out a big bag of cat food on his own, and poured it into a bowl, ¡°Ju Zhi, time to eat.¡± No response. Gu Shen was a bit surprised, this silly cat usually rushed over immediately. He didn¡¯t see, with his back to the table, that Ju Zhi from its high position looked down, its eyes emitting a faint glow. ¡°Not eating? If you miss this chance, there won¡¯t be another,¡± Gu Shen said, not feeling very much inclined to turn around. ¡°Meow!!!¡± Accompanied by a sharp meow, Ju Zhi shuddered all over, as if awakening from a deep dream, its eyes¡¯ glow disappeared, and it intensely jumped off the table and buried its head in the bowl, eating voraciously. This way of eating... Gu Shen watched with a bit of disgust. After the silly cat had its fill and drank enough, it swaggered off to find a spot to purr and sleep. Meanwhile, Gu Shen sat in front of the holographic screen, wrapping his finger with a tissue, he carefully took out a ruler from inside his shirt, looking at that silver measure... he fell into thought. This ruler, it seemed it did not have the ability to corrode? When A-009 handed this thing to him, it seemed without malice? But what exactly was the use of this thing? After he boarded that subway, the scenes, one by one, reversed, froze, and flashed back. Gu Shen had too many doubts in his mind... He had thought he could get some answers from the mouths of those people in the interrogation room. But... The story he had quickly made up while having a sip of water, the guy named ¡°Wei Shu¡± had taken it seriously... Clearly, something was wrong with the surveillance footage in the train car; those people had no idea what had really happened in there! All they saw was the regular line 13. Yet, what he initially boarded was the old, mottled ¡°001.¡± ¡°...that girl, and A-009, what on earth was all that about...¡± Gu Shen had no clues, rubbing his brow, he muttered, ¡°That old man said, a new era is coming soon...¡± ¡°New era... new era...¡± He opened a webpage. The holographic screen displayed layers of waves sweeping and scourging as an effect. In New Year 638, thanks to the supercomputer ¡°Deep Sea¡± developed by ¡°Allen Turing,¡± the five continents were tightly connected by a virtual network, allowing all citizens to enjoy a massive amount of real-time news and extremely rapid super-intelligent services without ever leaving home. ¡°Such a huge commotion tonight, and yet no related reports or posts...¡± Gu Shen frowned, glanced at the breaking news, feeling something wasn¡¯t quite right, he was about to type on the keyboard, when suddenly he stopped. A sentence from the elderly man on the train echoed in his mind. [¡°Someone has already started paying attention to you.¡±] This sentence reminded Gu Shen. ¡°If someone is really watching me... I must be careful.¡± Gu Shen knew very well that the search traces he casually left could very well become clues for those intent on tracking him. A very soft ¡°dingdong¡± sound. Suddenly, a chat box popped up on the computer screen. ¡°Congratulations.¡± The chat indicated the other person was typing: ¡°...that question, you answered correctly, very impressive.¡± This was... Gu Shen was stunned for a moment. The other person¡¯s avatar was blank, but the tone, it was very obviously that of the girl in a white dress he had encountered on the train. No need to worry about someone impersonating... Gu Shen was certain, nobody else knew about his encounter with the girl, not even the mysterious Mr. Shu. He immediately clicked on the avatar frame, trying to find information on the other person... but whether in personal information or related fields, no matter how much Gu Shen clicked, all that displayed was blank. This sort of blankness wasn¡¯t due to items not being filled; it was as if there were no fields to fill... on the tiny info card, there was no name, no gender, no date of birth, no hobbies, no signature, nothing at all. Only blank. Just blank. Even dead people, as long they had been born, wouldn¡¯t have this kind of blankness. Gu Shen had never seen something like this before; every citizen of the Five Continents had to have their blood entered into the Deep Sea database, only then could they log into the Deep Sea Network by real name. But everything on this card was blank... could this be a system malfunction? However it was, it didn¡¯t matter anymore. Gu Shen now felt fortunate... he was glad that he hadn¡¯t honestly confessed everything in the interrogation room. Who knew what those guys, arriving ominously in a helicopter to collect A-009¡¯s corpse, would have done had they known about the girl, an unrestrained character still existing? He certainly didn¡¯t want the girl to end up imprisoned like A-009! ¡°Thank you,¡± Gu Shen replied politely, then eagerly asked, ¡°I have a few questions I¡¯d like to ask... for instance, who are you?¡± He had too many questions. Chapter 8 - 8 7 Truth Ruler ?8: Chapter 7: Truth Ruler 8: Chapter 7: Truth Ruler The overhead light emitted a buzzing sound of electric current, and the light along with the holographic screen flickered. The next moment, the light source extinguished. The entire bedroom plunged into darkness. Gu Shen reacted immediately, rising to pull back the curtains and looking out. In the dead of night, the street lights that were usually lit by the old unfinished building were also off, and everything was pitch black as far as his gaze reached. Someone wanted to kill him. Those people had already made their move... Cutting off the power was just the first step. ¡°Meow.¡± In the darkness, a calm cat¡¯s meow sounded. The orange cat, who had been lazily sleeping in its bed, now appeared beside Gu Shen, standing on its tiptoes and nudging his pant leg. In his mind, Gu Shen recalled what Chu Ling had said¡ª [¡°I will contact you in another way.¡±] Gu Shen paused, ¡°Could it be...?¡± But the orange cat just gave him a cold look and nodded, simultaneously raising its paw and pointing towards the door. Accompanied by the ¡°thud, thud, thud¡± of pounding noises, hissing, burning smoke seeped from the door gap, the door lock¡¯s bolt eroding. Such outdated and old residential security doors simply couldn¡¯t withstand this corrosion. The door frame trembled, and the uninvited guests outside were about to break in soon. ¡°Meow.¡± The window was opened, and Da Ju lightly jumped onto the sill, motioning for Gu Shen to act quickly. ¡°Has there been a mistake... this is the seventh floor...¡± Gu Shen¡¯s complexion slightly changed. Da Ju meowed, leaped out, and landed steadily on the external air conditioning unit¡¯s frame, coolly looking back down at Gu Shen. Gu Shen took a deep breath, glanced at the door frame that could break at any moment, and made a snap decision to jump out the window. There wasn¡¯t much time left to hesitate! He actually had quite good physical skills; he climbed out onto the window sill, gently leaped, used the external air conditioner frame as a stepping board, then grabbed a pipe, stepping onto the exterior ledge of the old building¡¯s wall, where the protruding stones barely supported half of his foot. ¡°Huh... I made it...¡± Gu Shen exhaled in relief. Just as he was about to rest for a moment before sliding down the pipe, Da Ju urgently called out, signaling him to quickly climb upward. Upward... Was it a dead-end below? Gu Shen didn¡¯t hesitate. He quickly followed the orange cat, climbing upwards. ¡°Boom!¡± The next instant, a violent roaring blast of air explosion erupted from below, rolling airwaves surged, shattering glass, and among the sound of the heatwave, it seemed to carry several faint screams that were swallowed by the flames before they could spread. Gu Shen¡¯s face suddenly turned pale. The spurting blaze rendered the peripheral vision into a crimson red, the pipes became scorchingly hot to touch, but in the crisis, Gu Shen climbed incredibly fast. The old unfinished building had eleven floors, and after reaching the top there was a spacious rooftop, where layers of clothing and bedding rustled loudly, draped over the iron rails and blown by the hot wind. ¡°Is there no justice anymore? No law?¡± Gu Shen couldn¡¯t believe the scene he had just witnessed. He barely stood by the edge of the rooftop, leaning down to look, feeling dizzy. These people were utterly deranged; what had just happened was not merely a case of breaking and entering... Were these people intending to blow up the entire building? The sudden explosion broke the silence of the night, waking many people with the loud noise. By then, the fire had spread, rapidly expanding from the seventh floor. From a close distance, the old building stood tall in the thriving inferno, wavering in the Blazing Flame like a mirage of Hell. However, the real disaster was not just this fire¡ª As people woke in alarm, they tried to make calls but failed. For some reason, the signal was unusually poor, with both power and network cut off. In the face of disaster, human beings themselves were too insignificant. They could do nothing but watch a scene from human Hell unfold¡ª Several charred, indistinct figures struggled in the flames, attempting to shout for help. Even without hearing their voices, one could feel the pain and despair of the sufferers at that moment. The sudden explosion had trapped all the innocent residents above the seventh floor in the tide of fire. Some chose to jump out the windows to escape. ¡°Whoosh¡ªBang!¡± The burning torso drew a shattered arc through the air and landed on the ground with a brittle crack, black charred pieces scattering, still speckled with faint sparks. Those who jumped from the building didn¡¯t know that the flames from the explosion were also mixed with a strong corrosive force. Seeing this scene, Gu Shen silently clenched his fists. He realized he had made an incredibly right decision just in the nick of time... If he had fled downward, he would have been a charred corpse by now. But now, trapped in this surge of fire, what should he do? Those pursuing him... with such tumultuous intent to kill, would soon arrive at the rooftop... At this moment, Gu Shen was calm as never before. Due to the massive explosion, his body was still shaking from the physiological reaction, but his fingers no longer trembled. He looked towards Chu Ling... the orange cat, standing venerably at the highest point of the rooftop, also looking back at him. Their gazes met. In that second, fortune struck his mind, and Gu Shen pulled out the ¡°Silver Ruler¡± A-009 given to him. The orange cat spoke again, its voice still that of a cat¡¯s ¡°meow¡± and the like. But after hearing it, Gu Shen unbelievably understood the orange cat¡¯s thoughts. ¡°There are two enemies, estimated to arrive at the rooftop in 20 seconds and 40 seconds... The way out is sealed, you need to use the ¡®Truth Ruler¡¯ here to counterattack.¡± Truth Ruler... so that¡¯s the name of this ruler, ¡°Truth Ruler¡±! ¡°How do I use it?¡± Gu Shen held his breath anxiously, gazing towards the door lock... time was running out, it might have been an illusion, but at that moment he seemed to hear the heavy footsteps! The orange cat quickly said, ¡°Channel your spirit, imagine the scene. The Truth Ruler can transform thoughts into reality... The stronger the spiritual power, the more successful the transformation.¡± ¡°Thud¡ª¡± A loud crash. The door lock was violently smashed, nearly shattering. Gu Shen gripped the Silver Ruler in both hands, focused his attention, and stared intently at the door. His mind was blank, all his spiritual power concentrated at one point, the image of Nan Jin confronting A-009 speeding and colliding in his mind, those two long swords forming a silver Sword Domain, which now seemed to turn into converging beams of light. The markers on the Truth Ruler gradually lit up. Wind arose out of nowhere, sweeping across the rooftop, whirling up rows of clothes and bedding¡ª ¡°Boom!¡± A brief silence followed. The second impact smashed the door lock completely. A tall black shadow burst in, shouldering the door and charging, his robust body like that of a fully grown bull! It was at this moment that the Silver Ruler blazed with a brilliant light. The clothes thrown about the rooftop were sliced by thousands of fine threads, tearing open countless tiny slits, the silver blades swirling in the violent wind, slashing in layers, and colliding instantly with the reckless figure like a bull¡ª Nan Jin drove back Ba Chi¡¯s wife with two swords. Gu Shen aimed the Ruler at the tall man. Then, as now, the two scenes were strikingly similar, except the latter was bloodier and more harrowing. ¡°Oomph...¡± The loud man who smashed out of the rooftop burst out a horrified grunt from his throat, the brief moment of silence was his deliberate pause as if he was toying with a mouse, according to intelligence, the target was just an ordinary person. But he could never have imagined... that he would be met with such an immense killing intent. His petrified skin was torn in an instant by the overlapping blades, and the huge inertia from smashing through the door pushed him into an irreversible abyss¡ª Numerous blades hung above the rooftop. The tip of the Truth Ruler, wrapped in silvery light, transformed the rooftop into the Sword Domain of Nan Jin ¡°as imagined¡± by Gu Shen. The reason it was ¡°as imagined¡± Sword Domain was because Gu Shen couldn¡¯t understand how the Sword Domain deployed by Nan Jin at that time was created... So, he rebuilt a Sword Domain based on his imagination. The opponent¡¯s actions were simple and overconfident... casually setting an entire building on fire, most likely a life-despising figure... thus, treating himself as insignificant... was also a matter of course. In an instant, thinking of all this, Gu Shen decided to set up the rooftop as a mire hanging with blades. And the ¡°intruder,¡± who crashed into the mire at breakneck speed, now seemed like someone willingly seeking a gruesome death... In this static scene, slicing himself open¡ª Blood burst forth. And some hot blood splattered on Gu Shen¡¯s face. Chapter 9 - 9 8 Dialing ?9: Chapter 8 Dialing 9: Chapter 8 Dialing ¡°Tick-tock.¡± ¡°Tick-tock.¡± Blood fell. Gu Shen held the Ruler in one hand and wiped his cheek with the other as a surge of fire roared around him. The only door leading to the rooftop had been smashed to pieces, and the person responsible for smashing it ... was now scattered in all directions, northeast, southwest on the rooftop. Time began to slow down. One second, for Gu Shen, felt as long as an hour. He could clearly see the angle of every fluttering bedsheet on the rooftop, the form of each sweep of the flames, everything within his sight, sensing all living beings around him. With the Truth Ruler in hand, his thoughts became clear, yet numb. This power, rather than a divine gift, was more like a deal struck with the devil ... you grasp power, but as you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back into you. The orange cat quieted down, saying nothing, perched delicately on Gu Shen¡¯s shoulder like a sparrow. Its eyes flickered with rapidly changing luminescence, observing Gu Shen at that moment. [¡°This person is dead.¡±] Gu Shen looked at the mess of a door lying before him, and the chunks of blood, and such a thought crossed his mind. [¡°It was me who did it ...¡±] What followed was prolonged confusion. [¡°Really?¡±] In the lengthy span of time, countless thoughts were dissected and repeatedly questioned, all yielding the same answer. [¡°He did it to himself.¡±] Gu Shen sighed deeply, feeling as if all his strength was being drained ... as if he had endured a century, yet in the real world, only 20 seconds had passed. 20 seconds later. Gu Shen wiped the blood off his cheek and silently watched the second ¡°pursuer,¡± shocked by the bloody scene at the end of his vision. There were two people trying to kill him. The guy he had just killed possessed powers likely enhancing his physical body... evident from the way he had broken the door. That was a brute. And now, the one he currently saw was the complete opposite, thin and not tall. The one who had tried to break down his door before must be this guy. At that time, Gu Shen had heard the sound of the door panel corroding... The power he wielded must be similar, so he must be the instigator of this arson. Gu Shen looked slowly around. At the end of the hallway, the thin man who saw his companion reduced to a puddle of broken corpses, his face pale and voice trembling. ¡°What kind of... joke is this?¡± He doubted what his eyes were seeing. Was all this real? On the rooftop, behind the boy who held the Ruler with thousands of sword edges floating, his cold gaze pierced through him, a mere look brought an overwhelming sense of oppression ... How could this be a mere mortal?! [¡°He is afraid.¡±] Gu Shen read it in his eyes. Was it fear... of him or, this Ruler? He slowly looked at the silver Ruler, and through its clear, water-like silver body, he saw his own reflection, his familiar face now strange to him because his eyes were filled with an immense killing intent. [¡°Killed so many people ...¡±] [¡°You... deserve to die...¡±] Gu Shen heard his voice squeeze out bit by bit from his chest. This time, the image he envisions was the one he saw while looking down from above the rooftop ... because of that explosion, innocents trapped in the surge of fire, turned to charcoal. The voice settled. ¡°Whoosh!!!¡± The silver light of the Truth Ruler suddenly burst forth, the dazzling glow struck towards the darkness at the end of the hallway in an instant. The night turned into day! Under the power of the Truth Ruler, even the Transcendent with unimaginable powers seemed like an ant. The frightened man suddenly caught fire, screaming, frantically slapping himself, even rolling on the ground, trying to extinguish the flames, but the fire burst in an instant, engulfing him like a tide. This was a fierce yet gentle fire that devoured a man, burning solely on him¡ªeven when the man crashed into the stacked wooden planks in the corner, only a few dim sparks splashed out, extinguishing in an instant. The flames did not spread. They scorched only him. Until, moments later, the arsonist who screamed wildly was turned to ashes by the flame he had lit himself. Only then did this fire, which defied all norms and understanding, gradually extinguish. A Divine Miracle. In some sense, this was a Divine Miracle. Gu Shen gazed at this scene, watching the flames surge violently within the dark corridor, slowly extinguishing, eventually turning to ash... With every second that passed, his thoughts, too, burned away. It was something ethereal, yet undeniably real. The man was being burned. His ¡°thoughts¡± were also being burned. Supporting the unfolding of this Divine Miracle was he himself, holding the Ruler... In the unseen realms, his spirit was being used as fuel. After the burning ended, only exhaustion remained. Gu Shen breathed out deeply. The fingers clutching the Ruler began to tremble violently, the pain rushing in like stabbing needles, overwhelming like the tide, as he gasped for air, trying to breathe in fresh oxygen. Perhaps because of the intense fiery tide, his chest felt too tight to breathe. ¡°A bit of a side effect,¡± the orange cat repeated the words ¡°a bit¡± three times, calmly saying, ¡°Summoning storms and rains like a god always comes at a cost, doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± Gu Shen rasped a laugh, ¡°Thank you for reminding me.¡± The overdrawn spirit constantly reminded Gu Shen that it was time to let go. But he did not release the Ruler. Instead, he continued to grip it tightly while slowly lifting his head, looking up at the sky. The spirit power that should have dispersed was reconcentrating. The orange cat looked up along with Gu Shen¡¯s movements. Over the rooftop, the dome enveloped by the fiery smog inexplicably saw the emergence of cloud after cloud. These clouds rapidly assembled, thickening within moments, eventually shrouding the old building, followed quickly by descending threads of rain that soon turned into a curtain. This scene, although absurd, was still within the capabilities of the Truth Ruler. ¡°You truly are... a madman,¡± Chu Ling murmured softly. Gu Shen smiled, ¡°Can I take that as a compliment?¡± He was like a dried-up potted plant, long parched for sweet rain, or perhaps a downpour. Raindrops pattered down. Gu Shen felt a headache coming on, a real headache, both internally and externally. The final downpour had squeezed out all his spirit, and by now, Gu Shen was no longer capable of manipulating the rain¡¯s intensity as precisely as when he initially formed the Sword Domain... But judging by the thundering momentum of the heavy rain, extinguishing the fire tide would be no problem. After accomplishing all this, Gu Shen was at a point where even closing his eyes caused intense brain pain. Indeed, it had been a deal with the Devil. After the deal was over, not only would he revert to his original state, but he would also plummet into Hell. ¡°Meow...¡± The orange cat called out softly. Gu Shen¡¯s gaze was confused; he could hardly hold the Ruler anymore, and Chu Ling¡¯s voice in his ears had turned back into a cat¡¯s meow... As the rain fell, he leaned against the wall, slumped, as his consciousness gradually drifted away. The orange cat sighed, its small head burrowing into his embrace, then picked out a mobile phone with its mouth. Gu Shen¡¯s lips were dry, and he no longer had the energy to be surprised, resignedly watching as the orange cat dialed a number for him. ¡°Beep¡ª¡± ¡°Beep.¡± The second tone connected the call. ¡°Hello...¡± Gu Shen mustered his last bit of strength and asked laboriously, ¡°It¡¯s me...¡± Laughter came from the other end of the call. ¡°Ran into some trouble... Can you handle it?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± The other end laughed heartily, ¡°I can handle even the biggest troubles!¡± ¡°Really...¡± Gu Shen also laughed, ¡°Two terrifying guys wanted to kill me, but I ended up killing them instead, that¡¯s self-defense, right... Can you sort it out?¡± The laughter from the other end vanished. Chapter 10 - 10 9 Judgment ?10: Chapter 9 Judgment 10: Chapter 9 Judgment [¡°My head hurts.¡±] I didn¡¯t know how long had passed. This thought surfaced in Gu Shen¡¯s mind. [¡°My head really hurts.¡±] Even though there was complete silence around him, his mind seemed to be caught in a tsunami... a silent roaring boil. Gu Shen felt like a fallen leaf, vaguely aware that his limbs were lying steady, but at the same time as if he had been thrown into a tumbling drum, the world spinning around him. He struggled to open his eyes, and a Blazing Light lamp shone on his face. ¡°Hiss...¡± His entire body was enveloped in a fine pain; it was difficult to even move a finger. ¡°You¡¯re awake.¡± A familiar, cold female voice. Gu Shen tried hard to move his head, a simple action that nearly drained all his strength. A rather spacious and pristine hospital room was now very quiet, with only the slow ticking of the wall clock. Nan Jin, holding a long and short knife, sat by the bed, her coat slightly open, revealing the alluring curves outlined by her black bodysuit. In Gu Shen¡¯s eyes, her figure wobbled and gradually overlapped into three or four images. Because she was so distinctive, even among the multiple images, he recognized her. ¡°Have you been taking care of me all this time...¡± Gu Shen said with a touch of warmth in his smile, sincerely adding, ¡°Thank you, Sister Nan Jin.¡± As soon as the word ¡°Sister¡± left his lips, there was a subtle crackling sound from the scabbard in Nan Jin¡¯s arms. ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand, I was merely following teacher¡¯s orders,¡± She replied coldly, ¡°And the ones who took care of you were the doctors and nurses from Da Teng Hospital... I didn¡¯t do anything, I was just waiting here.¡± ¡°My apologies, my apologies.¡± Gu Shen thought otherwise. The recent fire disaster and assassination attempt, he had resorted to using ¡°Truth Ruler¡± and exhausted his spirit to barely save his life... Looking back, if he had stayed in the Judgement Institute overnight, would there have been so many troubles? Those two guys, who were quite terrifying to him, wouldn¡¯t stand a chance in front of this woman, right? With this ¡°Sister¡± by his side, he was surely safe. He took a long, leisurely breath. Gu Shen felt both a sense of dread and relief, glad that he had managed to make that phone call in the end... But then, Gu Shen¡¯s eyelids twitched. He was now wearing a hospital gown, and his fingers felt around, finding the pockets on both sides empty... He was already poor, so money didn¡¯t matter. But the Truth Ruler was gone! ¡°Sister Nan...¡± Gu Shen started carefully, observing her reaction and changing his address, ¡°Brother Nan Jin, how long have I been lying here?¡± This time, the scabbard didn¡¯t burst with coldness. Nan Jin glanced at the clock and said irritably, ¡°From the moment the call ended to being brought here, a total of twenty-eight hours has passed. The doctor checked and said there was nothing wrong with your body, that you just needed a good sleep... Are you a pig? Can you sleep this long?¡± To have slept so long... Gu Shen felt a bit embarrassed himself. He scratched his head and asked, ¡°So... how was I brought here?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t remember?¡± Nan Jin frowned, and she turned on the room¡¯s projector. A news report came into view... a sudden fire broke out in the northern residential area of Da Teng City. ¡°The people who tried to kill you caused that fire, thinking you were just an ordinary person without any power... but they didn¡¯t expect that, at the crucial moment, you ¡®awoke¡¯ as a ¡®Transcendent,¡¯ and with an extremely high-ranking power at that.¡± As Nan Jin spoke, she noticed that Gu Shen¡¯s expression was off. ¡°You... What¡¯s wrong, do you not feel well?¡± she asked with concern. ¡°No... it¡¯s nothing.¡± Gu Shen rubbed his temples. What was going on... From the sound of Nan Jin¡¯s voice, it seemed they had assumed he was a possessor of that kind of power, a Transcendent. But that made sense, considering the bloody scene on the rooftop couldn¡¯t be explained away by any other excuse. But from the information just now, the Truth Ruler hadn¡¯t been exposed. It must have been taken by Da Ju... That was good news. Gu Shen calmed himself down, and suddenly heard Nan Jin ask, ¡°What does it feel like to ¡®awaken¡¯ as a Transcendent?¡± ¡°...¡± Gu Shen struggled to pretend he was recalling the pain, ¡°It was agonizing. It felt like all my strength was being drained away... and I don¡¯t have a drop of it left now.¡± Nan Jin consoled, ¡°The greater the power of a Transcendent, the heavier the burden. I¡¯ve seen what happened on the rooftop... It¡¯s normal for such a strong awakening power to overspend itself, don¡¯t worry.¡± Gu Shen was a bit worried, ¡°About those two people... I won¡¯t have to take any responsibility, will I?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Those who do such things are hiding underground, away from the light,¡± Nan Jin said with an unusually gentle demeanor, ¡°Besides, you are now with the Judgement Institute. From now on, nobody will dare to bully you... After all, even when beating a dog, one should consider its owner.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a relief...¡± Gu Shen sighed with relief, and then bolted upright, astonishment on his face, ¡°Wait¡ª¡± ¡°What did you just say, I am with what Institute?!¡± ¡°Judgement, Institute,¡± she reiterated. ¡°Judgement what?¡± ¡°Judgement, Institute,¡± she repeated once more. Flipping her usual demeanor, Nan Jin patiently taught Gu Shen how to pronounce these three words and, with a hint of mockery, pulled out a paper contract, ¡°Here... the agreement you signed before you were hospitalized. Your teacher signed it on your behalf.¡± The densely packed characters on the contract made Gu Shen feel dizzy, like he was looking at a death warrant. Eventually, he saw his own crooked signature in the bottom right corner, along with a red thumbprint seal in cinnabar ink. ¡°What era is it that we are still signing with thumbprints?!¡± Gu Shen spat with disdain and tore up the contract, ¡°You¡¯re kidnapping an innocent young man by force, I won¡¯t stay in this hospital anymore!¡± ¡°The teacher anticipated this reaction from you, that was just a photocopy...¡± Nan Jin shrugged nonchalantly, sliding back into her chair, watching as shreds of paper fluttered down between them, she calmly said, ¡°If you want to check out, you can. If I remember correctly, the hospital bill is 138,000 yuan. Please settle it yourself.¡± Gu Shen: ¡°???¡± ¡°The teacher specifically instructed to use the most expensive medical equipment, and by the way, you were given a full-body examination. Here¡¯s the report, would you like to have a look? You seem to be in quite good shape.¡± Nan Jin produced another report. Gu Shen was stunned. ¡°By the way, we checked your bank account last night. The total balance is about 5,000 yuan,¡± Nan Jin asked leisurely, ¡°Even without that fire, you¡¯d probably struggle to pay next month¡¯s rent, right?¡± Seeing the young man¡¯s distraught expression, Nan Jin pressed her advantage, ¡°And you seem to be unaware of what will happen next... if you don¡¯t join the Judgement Institute, because you are involved in A-009 and the major fire, two Transcendent incidents, you will be taken back for interrogation. This time, the interrogation will not be so straightforward. The guys from prison are watching you closely; you could end up on the ¡®out-of-control¡¯ list. At best, you will be under strict surveillance; at worst, you could be directly imprisoned.¡± Nan Jin put away the report, and a victorious smile appeared on her usually impassive face, saying, ¡°Have a think about it. If you comply, not only will the hospital bills be paid, but the damages from the fire could be reimbursed. And during the upcoming interrogation, your teacher will personally intervene to bail you out from prison.¡± What a wicked woman! Gu Shen clenched his teeth and glared at Nan Jin¡¯s pretty face. It was rare to see her smile, and he hadn¡¯t expected it to be so distasteful! Her beautiful face seemed to sneer with contemptible shamelessness, ¡°Why don¡¯t you just give in to us.¡± After a long silence, ¡°Do I even have a choice?¡± Resigned, Gu Shen sighed heavily and held his forehead, ¡°If I follow you guys, I won¡¯t be able to avoid doing things like murder and arson, right... Can big brother take extra care of me?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Sorted. Pleased, Nan Jin patted her new underling on the shoulder, then from under her trench coat¡¯s lapel, she produced a silver badge and handed it to Gu Shen, saying, ¡°We are the messengers of justice, you know, nothing to do with murder and arson... Do you see the inscription on the badge?¡± Gu Shen caressed the badge ¨C it was about half the size of a palm and made of an unknown material with a fine texture. On the front of the badge were two crossed swords, intricately crafted, with clear swirling patterns. Below the swords were two characters. ¡°Judgement,¡± Gu Shen murmured softly, almost in a trance. ¡°Ding¡ª¡± Nan Jin lightly flicked the top of the badge with her fingers, producing a crisp, ringing sound. Only then did Gu Shen notice that above the crossed swords was a crown, inside which were two carelessly engraved script letters, situated subtly above the swords, quite concealed. Gu Shen didn¡¯t say another word, simply rubbing the badge with his fingers, a complex look in his eyes. ¡°Actually, we¡¯re not as bad as you think. The bill has already been settled, and a physical examination after coming into contact with a Transcendent is a necessary procedure... Some unlucky ones uncontrollably turn into monsters and can only be buried on the spot. But you¡¯re quite lucky, it seems there is nothing wrong with you,¡± Nan Jin suddenly laughed. Gu Shen shivered at the sound. Nan Jin glanced at the clock and sat up straight, ¡°Considering the time, those guys from prison should be here soon. The person in charge of your interrogation should still be Wei Shu. Now let me tell you how to deal with the upcoming interrogation.¡± Chapter 11 - 11 10 Judgment Chief ?11: Chapter 10 Judgment Chief 11: Chapter 10 Judgment Chief Wei Shu had not expected that the seemingly ordinary teenager named Gu Shen would be involved in a case that attracted such great attention. The hospital¡¯s blazing lights were dazzling. The long corridor was silent, echoing with the neat tapping of iron boots. Wei Shu, not particularly tall, was followed by a dozen robust men, each with a stern face and a temperament as sharp as knives, hard as iron. By his side was the Judgment Chief, responsible for overseeing the institution of Qinghe District¡¯s prison system. Compared to the robust men behind him, the Judgment Chief was not tall; on the contrary, he was somewhat small and hunched, his face under a black broad-brimmed hat as rugged as mountain stone, with a terrifying scar winding across his nose like a centipede. The Judgment Chief slowly read through the file Wei Shu had handwritten. Thus, the robust men behind him all slowed their pace; they moved quietly, like needles, their footsteps soft. Wei Shu, on the other hand, was so nervous that he could hear his own heartbeat... These people were merely here to accompany him for the ¡°interrogation,¡± and the person in question was just a seventeen-year-old boy, but the formidable presence now seemed as if they were about to storm a fortress. He had no doubts that at the Judgment Chief¡¯s command, these fellows could blast through even 10 cm thick steel plates! ¡°Interesting...¡± The Judgment Chief murmured softly, and Wei Shu noticed that the Judgment Chief¡¯s gaze did not linger much on the file labeled A-009 but was fixated on the second case file. The fire that had erupted 28 hours before. The fire had a significant negative impact on Da Teng City... There was intense pressure from public opinion. The authorities had not yet found a suitable reason to explain the sudden fire, as well as the concurrent power and network failures. But the most noteworthy aspect of the file was ¡°Gu Shen¡±. The explosion had originated from Gu Shen¡¯s residence, and he himself had only been unconscious. Considering the situation at the scene... he had been very lucky to survive due to an unseasonal downpour that quenched the fire. But everyone knew that was nonsense. Wei Shu was well aware that this was a Transcendent event; someone had targeted Gu Shen with an assassination attempt... only, they had all died. Two bodies were found near a rooftop, one brutally dismembered and the other charred to cinders by a fierce fire. Wei Shu could not imagine how this lucky boy, who had survived the attack by A-009, could have awakened such a terrifying ¡°Extraordinary Power¡±. With his authorization, he had sifted through Deep Sea¡¯s ¡°deep water area¡± cases from the past thirty years in Da Teng City, finding only one or two cases that could compare. This was an extremely dangerous existence. Now, even the Judgment Chief had been alarmed and chose to intervene personally; the outlook for the boy named Gu Shen was likely very bleak. Wei Shu sighed inwardly... He still didn¡¯t know what awaited Gu Shen, whether it would be controlled observation or direct imprisonment. ¡°We¡¯re here.¡± Wei Shu spoke softly, feeling pity for the boy. ... ... The door was gently pushed open. Contrary to what Wei Shu had expected, the boy in the hospital room had already woken up. He was sitting up in bed, reading a paper newspaper, with a window cracked open slightly, allowing a gentle breeze to flutter the daffodils by the bedside. The Judgment Chief, with his hands clasped behind him, slowly entered the room, and the interrogation team blocked the doorway. Their towering shadows were enough to suffocate anyone, but the boy merely glanced up briefly before shifting his gaze back to the newspaper¡ª The oddly serene and peaceful atmosphere of the hospital room made it difficult to disrupt. The Judgment Chief glanced at the window, unperturbed. ¡°Gu Shen, I formally notify you on behalf of Da Teng City Prison,¡± Wei Shu approached the bedside, started to speak customarily: ¡°You are involved in two Transcendent incidents, and you will face a rigorous interrogation... The Constitution requires me...¡± ¡°The Constitution requires me to inform you of the following rights: you have the right to remain silent, but every word you say will be taken as evidence in court. You have the right to appoint someone, who may accompany you throughout the interrogation.¡± The boy raised his head smoothly, taking over the line for him. His face still bore the pallor of sickness, but his eyes were clear as a lake, and he politely smiled, ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Mr. Wei Shu.¡± Wei Shu was taken aback. ¡°It¡¯s been a while¡± sounded somewhat ironic. But it indeed gave Wei Shu the illusion of an age having passed. It had been about thirty hours since their last encounter; the current demeanor of Gu Shen was entirely different. Wei Shu found it hard to believe that the undisturbed boy now sitting on the hospital bed had been panic-stricken, gesticulating wildly, like a clown during the previous interrogation. Was this kid... acting before? After sending Gu Shen away, Wei Shu had always felt that there was something indescribably off about the interview file, such as the time of disarray in the car surveillance, which according to Gu Shen, was during his stand-off with A-009. That was A-009, an out-of-control Transcendent with incredibly destructive power, who had withstood a full 20 minutes without the carriage being damaged, but conveniently the surveillance had malfunctioned... It was simply too unreasonable. The only explanation¡ª It was this wily young man who had seen through the lost monitoring ruse in the carriage right from the beginning, and thus chose to conceal his real encounter on the train. So... the clown wasn¡¯t Gu Shen, it was himself. ¡°The people from the Judgement Institute just left, didn¡¯t they?¡± The usually silent Judgment Chief finally spoke. ¡°That old man must have taught you how to deal with the upcoming interrogation...¡± he suddenly laughed, his voice rich as aged wine, magnetically appealing, unintentionally creating a favorable impression, relaxing one¡¯s guard, ¡°right?¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Gu Shen looked completely bewildered. His acting was so convincing he could have won ¡®Best Actor¡¯: ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡± The Judgment Chief chuckled. He lifted his hand, and several burly men filed in. ¡°...Take him away.¡± ... ... ¡°Name.¡± ¡°Gu Shen.¡± ¡°Age.¡± ¡°Seventeen, with another month and one day until my birthday...¡± ¡°Gender.¡± ¡°???¡± The familiar opening. But this time, Wei Shu banged heavily on the desk and said irritably, ¡°Be honest, confess now!¡± ¡°Female... would you believe that?¡± Gu Shen pointed to his hospital gown, also not looking pleased, ¡°I¡¯m in the hospital, just got off the sickbed, carried here... Can¡¯t you show a bit of humanity?¡± ¡°Gu Shen... This interrogation is serious. You¡¯d better cooperate,¡± Wei Shu lowered his voice, coming close threateningly: ¡°Do you know who that important person outside is? The Judgment Chief responsible for the entire Qinghe District!¡± Judgment Chief? Gu Shen shrugged his shoulders, showing he didn¡¯t understand and wasn¡¯t afraid. ¡°Regarding the fire that occurred twenty-eight hours ago...¡± Wei Shu backed off, and asked coldly, ¡°The ignition point was in your bedroom, why did you survive, and why were you on the rooftop at that time?¡± ¡°Mr. Wei Shu, I¡¯m a survivor and a victim, your words upset me,¡± Gu Shen said innocently, looking up at the surveillance camera, speaking deliberately: ¡°As for why I was there... it was about to rain, I went up to the rooftop to collect clothes, that¡¯s reasonable, right?¡± That¡¯s unreasonable! Who goes to collect clothes from the rooftop at three or four in the morning?! But Wei Shu surprisingly couldn¡¯t find a reason to refute... because, it really had rained. ¡°Thump, thump, thump.¡± After three light knocks, the door to the interrogation room opened, revealing the silhouette of the Judgment Chief. Upon seeing him, Wei Shu immediately stood up, wanting to say something, but the older man gently patted his shoulder, ¡°Wei Shu, I¡¯ve finished reading the dossier, you¡¯ve done well. You¡¯ve had a few tough days.¡± Wei Shu finally sighed, standing up and leaving understandingly. So only Gu Shen and the Judgment Chief were left in the interrogation room. ¡°Gu Shen, I just finished reading the case file.¡± The old man sat down casually, placing the file on the desk. He lifted his hand, signaling to turn off the surveillance, and the light of the camera in the corner of the room dimmed. Gu Shen squinted his eyes. He knew what this meant... the content of the next interrogation would not be known by a third person. ¡°Now, it¡¯s just the two of us here. Relax.¡± ¡°While some annoying old man hasn¡¯t arrived yet,¡± the Judgment Chief raised his hands to his chin, smiling, ¡°let¡¯s have an open and frank chat, shall we?¡± Chapter 12 - 12 11 Recruiting People ?12: Chapter 11 Recruiting People 12: Chapter 11 Recruiting People A stack of case files was pushed towards Gu Shen by the Judgment Chief. Without looking, one knew that the file contained the official records of ¡°A-009¡± and the ¡°Massive Fire¡± incidents in detail. ¡°If you are here to ask about the details in the archives...¡± Gu Shen shook his head, ¡°I can only tell you that I am innocent, and the truth of the matter is exactly as recorded in this file.¡± The old man laughed. ¡°Who cares about the truth?¡± This unexpected response made Gu Shen look up in surprise. Under the large-brimmed hat were eyes as deep as the Black Sea. ¡°Files are written by humans, and so is the truth,¡± the Judgment Chief said expressionlessly. ¡°The attitude of the prison towards high-risk individuals has always been uniform, better to kill ten thousand by mistake than to let one go. Last night¡¯s fire caused dozens of casualties... plus the two Transcendents who died tragically on the rooftop, these lives can all be attributed to you. Your first awakening as a Transcendent caused such massive destruction, what awaits you is not supervision but detention.¡± The air grew tense. Gu Shen tried to shift his gaze away from under the large-brimmed hat... but it was as if some invisible magic power fixed him in place, and he could only meet the Judgment Chief¡¯s eyes, each second stretching as long as a century. Before leaving, Nan Jin had told him that Mr. Shu would arrive soon. In the upcoming interrogation, if he couldn¡¯t handle it, he just needed to keep silent. But obviously... she hadn¡¯t anticipated that this event would agitate a high-ranking official like the ¡°Judgment Chief¡± to come in person. The situation was now far from the lighthearted one previously anticipated. This Judgment Chief held tremendous power in his hands. As he had said earlier, the truth is written by humans; with the stature and status of the Judgment Chief, just one command would suffice, and the truth of the fire case would be written according to his will. He needed to hold on until ¡°Mr. Shu¡± arrived... Gu Shen took a deep breath and told himself to relax. The current situation was bad, but being anxious would only make things worse. ¡°Gu Shen, you¡¯re only seventeen years old, and you have a long life ahead of you... You wouldn¡¯t want to spend it like this, would you?¡± The Judgment Chief gazed at the tense young man and suddenly frowned. In the almost stagnant interrogation room, a very soft laughter suddenly emerged... ¡°You are not here to find the truth...¡± After taking a couple of deep breaths, Gu Shen laughed, revealing his white teeth, ¡°So... these two case files aren¡¯t really important, are they?¡± The Judgment Chief remained silent. ¡°You just said that I belong to the high-risk group, posing a risk of losing control,¡± Gu Shen kept his eyes on the pair under the large-brimmed hat, noting every change in the other person when each word was spoken, ¡°Yet you personally came to interrogate me and even turned off the surveillance confidently... This hardly seems like an environment for interrogating a high-risk individual... Are you too powerful, or am I too weak... or perhaps, you also believe that I¡¯m just an innocent victim.¡± The eyes under the large-brimmed hat were calm, signaling him to continue. So Gu Shen kept talking. ¡°Your trip to Da Teng wasn¡¯t really for this interrogation, was it?¡± ¡°When we first met in the hospital, you were holding this file... And when you entered the interrogation room, you told me you had just finished reading the case files... Given the urgency of your journey, you could have easily finished reading this file on the way, which indicates that this interrogation isn¡¯t important. So... why did you come to Da Teng?¡± ¡°The only explanation is: Judgment Chief, you didn¡¯t come for these two cases at all.¡± A brief pause. In a flash, Gu Shen connected several incredible matters... the phone number Mr. Shu had thrown out, that contract signed in haste to settle matters... All this happened too suddenly and too quickly. It took him until now to realize, it was very likely that cunning old man had set him up in a ¡°conspiracy¡±. ¡°Could it be...¡± Gu Shen tentatively asked, ¡°Did you come to Da Teng... for me?¡± Gu Shen knew it sounded narcissistic and unreasonable... but he couldn¡¯t think of any other explanation. What was terrifying was that the interrogation room fell silent for a moment. Then, the old man in the overcoat began to clap, and under the wide-brimmed hat, his eyes twinkled with approval. ¡°Young man... you are sharper than I imagined.¡± The applause only brought Gu Shen a sense of dread... He had guessed correctly, but he couldn¡¯t understand why someone of the Qinghe Judge¡¯s stature would come for him? ¡°This interrogation was just a pretext, I just needed a setting to be alone with you.¡± The Judgment Chief said, ¡°Since you¡¯ve already guessed, there¡¯s no need for me to hide it anymore... Gu Shen, I came for you! Since a certain shameless old man personally took action to recruit newcomers, I too had to make a move!¡± Gu Shen was flustered in the wind. If he hadn¡¯t misunderstood... what the Judgment Chief was doing now was ¡°snatching people,¡± and his motivation was quite straightforward. Nan Jin¡¯s teacher had made a move, so he had too. The Judgment Chief patted the file, persuasively, ¡°Look at this case file, how beautifully you handled the rooftop incident. Awakening your power for the first time, you counter-killed two Transcendents, one sliced into pieces, one burned to charcoal, clean and precise, elegant, you are a genius! Join the prison, those guys at the Judgement Institute only know about fighting and killing... it¡¯s not for you!¡± Nobody expected, after turning off the surveillance, that the murderous interrogation room would suddenly take this turn¡ª The Judgment Chief, hands pressed against the desk, spoke passionately, ¡°I bet they told you that Judgement Envoy is the embodiment of justice, wielding the sword and crown... Bullshit! The East Continent Council has twenty desks, they only have three! And we... have the biggest voice! The most resources! The most advanced equipment!¡± Gu Shen swallowed. Just then, the Judgment Chief furrowed his brow and coldly turned around¡ª With a ¡°bang.¡± The door of the interrogation room was kicked open. Dust billowed. The old man in the Zhongshan suit, leaning on a dragon-headed cane, slowly walked out, his hair meticulously groomed, a milky white ancient tree pin on the lapel of his navy-blue Zhongshan suit. Standing at the door were Wei Shu and the burly jury, casting apologetic glances toward the Judgment Chief... they really couldn¡¯t stop this old man¡¯s entrance. ¡°Humph.¡± The Judgment Chief snorted coldly, the fervor on his face subsiding as he impatiently gestured for the jury to close the door. This old guy arrived quite timely... Mr. Shu pulled up a chair and sat next to Gu Shen. ¡°The surveillance is already off... so now there are no outsiders here.¡± The old man in the Zhongshan suit glanced at the corner, took out a signed and sealed contract from his chest, and flaunted it in front of the Judgment Chief. Seeing this contract... the Judgment Chief was stunned, his eyes filled with disbelief. Mr. Shu straightforwardly killed the interrogation: ¡°Since we both came to snatch people, I¡¯ll just say it¡ª the person is already mine.¡± The atmosphere in the interrogation room was tumultuous. Caught between the formidable presences of the two big shots, Gu Shen felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. Seeing that contract only complicated his feelings further. It was clear that a certain despicable and shameless old man was in a very good mood. The signed and sealed contract fluttered in the wind, proclaiming a complete victory for the Judgement Institute in this battle for recruitment. ¡°Old Yan, you can get lost now.¡± Chapter 13 - 13 12 Amnesty Decree ?13: Chapter 12 Amnesty Decree 13: Chapter 12 Amnesty Decree Qing River District Judgment Chief Yan Shicheng stared at the deed of sale that was almost pressed against his own face, his scarred face twitching with the muscles. He had moved quickly, but he was still a step too late, that old man had already signed the person away! It was hard to come across such a promising young man. The Judgment Chief banged on the table. ¡°Rip¡ª¡± A crisp sound that sent shivers down the spine echoed in the cramped room! A streak of crimson electricity exploded out of thin air, and the contract was instantly torn to shreds. Witnessing this scene, Gu Shen vaguely felt his scalp tingle. Indeed, this Judgment Chief was also a strong wielder of Extraordinary Power... He had personally witnessed Mr. Shu sealing A-009. Seeing the confrontational stance between the two, they must have been ¡°frenemies¡± for many years. Gu Shen guessed that the Judgment Chief¡¯s strength should be on par with Mr. Shu. Mr. Shu, quite magnanimously, spread his hands indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s just a copy, tear it up as you please.¡± ¡°Zhou Jiren!¡± the Judgment Chief demanded sternly, ¡°Do you dare to face me squarely in a duel? What skill is there in using these tricks!¡± Zhou Jiren. So Mr. Shu¡¯s name was Zhou Jiren... Gu Shen scratched his head and suddenly felt an inexplicable familiarity with the name. ¡°Don¡¯t talk about each other, I was here right after you left,¡± Mr. Shu leaned back lazily, smiling, ¡°Summoning Gu Shen to Da Teng City for interrogation overnight isn¡¯t exactly honorable, is it? You have your strategies, I have my wall-ladder; snatching people... it¡¯s all about skill. You¡¯ve lost to me more than once anyway, you should be used to it by now, shouldn¡¯t you?¡± The Judgment Chief¡¯s cheekbones twitched slightly. ¡°You should be aware that the death of the two Transcendents on the rooftop last night means something,¡± he suddenly turned to Gu Shen, shifting the topic. ¡°On the charge of Transcendent loss of control, I could put him directly into prison right now.¡± Gu Shen: ¡°???¡± Hey, hey, hey... caught in the crossfire of immortals fighting, this wasn¡¯t the first time! ¡°Is that so?¡± The elderly man in a Zhongshan suit calmly responded, ¡°Both you and I know, Extraordinary Awakening is uncontrollable... This young man has revealed his immense potential, out of humanitarianism, the federation should grant him clemency.¡± ¡°Humanitarianism? I¡¯m discussing federal law with you!¡± the Judgment Chief stood firm, ¡°According to the Safety Law Article Thirteen, I can have people monitor him strictly around the clock and take restrictive measures when necessary!¡± ¡°Gu Shen acted in self-defense, at most it could be considered excessive defense.¡± ¡°Gu Shen¡¯s murder is an established fact, the trial of this case would require the prison and the Extraordinary Court to make a judgment based on the details... Old man, you should know, your Judgement Institute only has the law enforcement power for Extraordinary events,¡± the Judgment Chief took the upper hand, proudly looking at his old adversary. ¡°Perhaps... you are right.¡± After a moment of thought, Mr. Shu shrugged his shoulders, giving up the argument while a cunning smile appeared at the corner of his lips. Zhou Jiren looked at Gu Shen and spoke regretfully, ¡°Look at this... this is the true face of the prison, coercing and enticing, full of deceits, it feels awful to be treated as an object, doesn¡¯t it? Gu Shen, if it were to happen again, would you really choose to join them?¡± The Judgment Chief¡¯s expression changed. His focus on attacking his opponent in their recent argument had made him somewhat forget his initial purpose. Gu Shen turned pale, with beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. Now, he was only concerned about one thing¡ªif what this Judgment Chief said was true... what kind of fate was waiting for him? ¡°If there wasn¡¯t a ¡®special amnesty,¡¯ this evil doer might have just succeeded!¡± Mr. Shu looked at the young man¡¯s tense expression and suddenly burst out laughing, slapping Gu Shen on the shoulder vigorously, ¡°Relax, you are a rare genius the Judgement Institute managed to snatch, they won¡¯t just sit by and watch.¡± ¡°Special amnesty?¡± Not just Gu Shen was stunned, even the Judgment Chief paused for a moment. A rectangular token carved with golden wheat sheaves was taken out by Mr. Shu, once again hung before Yan Shicheng, ¡°Hey, hey, hey, be careful, this isn¡¯t a copy. It¡¯s the only one, don¡¯t damage it... you know how difficult it is to get a special amnesty from the Council?¡± The Judgment Chief looked at the golden wheat tribute token, then back at Zhou Jiren. At that moment, his mouth opened, but he could not utter a single word. He knew all too well... how tough it was to obtain a special amnesty... In the East Continent Council, there are only twenty seats, and acquiring a special amnesty requires at least one council member to vouch with their reputation, followed by a full council vote, with more than half in agreement, to secure this special amnesty. This meant that ¡°Gu Shen¡¯s¡± name had already been heard by the bigwigs of the East Continent Council. The issuance of the special pardon indicated that the top echelons of East Continent, the bigwigs, had forgiven the young man. Perhaps it was for the sake of someone¡¯s face. But whatever the reason, the case had truly come to an end. Was it worth it for this young man? The Judgment Chief¡¯s expression became solemn, and his regard toward Zhou Jiren shifted from confusion to respect. Although he could not understand, this time Zhou Jiren had truly gone to great lengths. He didn¡¯t feel wrongly defeated. Gu Shen still appeared utterly bewildered, having lived for over a decade, he had never heard of a special pardon before. However, from the Judgment Chief¡¯s expression, he could vaguely discern that it was something incredible. Seeing the Judicial Chief¡¯s cessation of hostilities, Gu Shen thought uneasily, Did it succeed? Did it? The scattered documents were collected one by one by Yan Shicheng, the stack of papers gently shook the table, and someone sighed deeply. The battle shrouded in smoke had finally concluded. Gu Shen felt a surge of joy. Did this mean he had successfully redeemed himself? An old victor grinned ear to ear, his arms were stiff from being raised, yet he insisted on affixing the special pardon right in front of the other¡¯s forehead, feigning ignorance as he clamored, ¡°Haven¡¯t you had enough of looking at it? I am going to take it back soon.¡± ¡°Go away, go away, go away.¡± The Judgment Chief, with a stern face, pushed away the hefty wheat token. He spoke meaningfully, ¡°Gu Shen, from now on, you are free.¡± He paused. ¡°Also, don¡¯t take to heart what was said earlier.¡± Yan Shicheng stood up, holding the documents, his slightly stooped back could suddenly stand as straight as a sword. He formally and gravely congratulated, ¡°Congratulations on joining the Judgement Institute, and I hope that one day you will shine brightly. Although today we merely brushed by, someday we will become comrades-in-arms.¡± Zhou Jiren squinted his eyes and smiled lightly. He reached out and patted Gu Shen on the back. Gu Shen quickly bounced up to shake hands with the Judgment Chief. After shaking hands. The Judgment Chief hesitated for a moment, but eventually turned around and spoke seriously to his old opponent: ¡°To think you would resort to a special pardon for a newcomer. You¡¯ve always been bold... But the Judgement Institute is hardly peaceful, and Zhu Wang¡¯s group has been eyeing your position. There will be a lot of controversy from the council, so be very cautious.¡± Mr. Shu nodded smilingly. ... ... The interrogation room door opened. After waiting for a long time, Wei Shu¡¯s spirits lifted. With the monitoring turned off, nobody knew the final outcome of this interrogation. Would Gu Shen be detained? Although the young man was cunning, deceitful, and full of schemes, Wei Shu hoped for a favorable outcome for him. Wei Shu was well aware that once imprisoned, the days ahead would be unbearable. But the Judgment Chief of Qinghe District, Yan Shicheng, was notoriously ruthless, hailed as the iron wall of East Continent¡¯s legal system. This interrogation, led by him personally, feared the result would be severe. Unexpectedly. When the Judgment Chief left the interrogation room, a faint smile remained on his fierce and scarred face. Although it lasted only a moment and quickly returned to being indifferent, Wei Shu was sure he hadn¡¯t seen it wrong. The usually stern Judgment Chief... had actually smiled? ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± The elderly man straightened his back, adjusted his wide-brimmed hat, and without turning back for another look, he uttered that one word, leading the grand jury away. That single word, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± That was the final outcome of this hearing... Gu Shen, not guilty. Chapter 14 - 14 13 New Home ?14: Chapter 13 New Home 14: Chapter 13 New Home ¡°Because of the fire, the place you were living in has been burned down, but let it be burned...you didn¡¯t have anything particularly valuable anyway. Out with the old, in with the new.¡± In front of an apartment in Da Teng City. ¡°What do you mean ¡®let it be burned¡¯?¡± Gu Shen stood at the entrance, drawn to the fingerprint and iris recognition lock, bending over and squinting to try and test the function, he was unhappy when he heard that comment, ¡°Am I the kind of person who likes new things and hates the old?¡± He fiddled with it for a long time, not knowing how to use it. This lock...it¡¯s quite high-end. ¡°Oh?¡± Nan Jin glanced at the young man, then entered swiftly after swiping her card. The nearly two hundred square meter apartment was filled with excellent lighting, bright and clean, and as the door was pushed open, layers of lights came on, with a full set of smart home devices equipped, the curtains fluttered in the wind, displaying the sunset from the twenty-ninth floor. The woman in a trench coat and sunglasses stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, slightly bent over, making a token welcoming gesture, ¡°Here you go, Mr. Gu Shen, honored and homeless...take a look, the new home I¡¯ve prepared for you.¡± ¡°My goodness...¡± Gu Shen was stunned by the sight before him, though he had thought during the ride that Zhou Jiren, the old guy, was definitely going to chum the water for him, but no matter what, he couldn¡¯t easily give in. After all, an entire house had been burned down, and he¡¯d probably have to deal with the landlord¡¯s trouble. At the very least, he should be arranged to live in a place that¡¯s comparable! Seeing the expression on Gu Shen¡¯s face, Nan Jin silently chuckled. Those who knew her well were aware that she was a woman who seldom smiled. To her, the most important thing in life was probably practicing with her blade...Mr. Shu kept her file very well-kept; almost no one in the Judgement Institute knew her background¡ªjust that she was someone who worked extremely hard, putting her all into every mission she took on. So, everyone guessed that someone who worked so hard must have a very lonely and suffering past. When taking care of Gu Shen, Nan Jin read his files. This boy, he was the truly lonely one, raised in an orphanage from a young age, living off the meager subsidies provided by the government, and leaving the orphanage after turning sixteen to make his own living. The thinner the records of Gu Shen¡¯s past seventeen years were. The more pitiful the boy¡¯s background seemed. ¡°How do you feel?¡± ¡°I feel...¡± Gu Shen tried not to let his eyes dart around, stubbornly saying, ¡°This place...is just okay, I guess. Barely livable, suits my status.¡± But three seconds later, he couldn¡¯t resist the urge to take in the whole apartment and gave in. ¡°Alright...I admit I¡¯m a country bumpkin,¡± Gu Shen embarrassedly conceded with a bashful face, ¡°It¡¯s just...what about the landlord?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already taken care of it for you, just had to pay some money.¡± Nan Jin, having said that, immediately loomed in Gu Shen¡¯s eyes as a great Buddha. He suddenly felt the urge to cling to her coattails... ¡°Right.¡± Gu Shen suddenly remembered something¡ªthe Truth Ruler, as well as the orange cat...they were still back at the old building! Just as he was about to speak, he heard the soft sound of a door being nudged from the bedroom. ¡°Mew...¡± An agile orange cat tiptoed over to Nan Jin, rubbing its head against her leg, rolling over to show its belly, and purring affectionately. ¡°Purr...¡± The cold, trench coat-clad woman unexpectedly squatted down very cooperatively, her five snow-white fingers gently scratching the chin of the orange cat, ¡°Everything in that old house was almost completely burned. When we arrived, this cat was still alive; it was lucky, only some of its fur was burned.¡± Seeing Chu Ling appear, Gu Shen¡¯s first reaction was nervousness... but he quickly relaxed. Given the ungraceful posture, the one rolling around seeking affection must be his own silly cat¡¯s true form, and for some reason, the consciousness of the young girl Chu Ling had already left the orange cat. ¡°After the fire... aside from this cat, there¡¯s nothing left in my house?¡± Gu Shen asked tentatively. ¡°What else were you hoping to be left?¡± Nan Jin raised an eyebrow, ¡°Apart from a broken table and a broken bed, what else is there in your home?¡± ¡°...Yeah,¡± Gu Shen scratched his head. It seemed they hadn¡¯t discovered the ¡°Truth Ruler¡±... had Chu Ling hidden it? ¡°You can rest up these next few days,¡± Nan Jin gave the orange cat a couple of firm rubs and then stood up with the little guy in her arms. ¡°As for your Extraordinary Ability, the Judgement Institute is still making a determination... There will be an audit in a few days, and you can go through it once your body has mostly recovered.¡± ¡°An audit? What kind of audit?¡± ¡°Everyone¡¯s awakened Extraordinary Ability is different, and so is the level of danger... Although according to Mr. Turing¡¯s theory, the level of danger of Extraordinary Power is related to its development, there are always some people who, upon just opening their eyes, are already steps ahead of others. Some people¡¯s awakened Extraordinary Abilities might only be able to bend a spoon, while others... can easily burn down an entire building.¡± Nan Jin used a simple metaphor and reminded with profound implication, ¡°The scale of last night¡¯s fire was truly alarming, and the Judgement Institute may very well give you an S-level strength rating.¡± ¡°...¡± Gu Shen covered his forehead, suddenly feeling very apprehensive, ¡°To be honest... I might not be as powerful as you all think.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate yourself.¡± Nan Jin shook her head, eyes blazing, ¡°I¡¯ve seen the photos from the rooftop, your lethality is terrifying, far exceeding that of most newcomers. It¡¯s been a long while since Qinghe District has seen a monster like you... What ability is this, can you use it again?¡± Gu Shen looked at his own hands. Without the Truth Ruler, he was just an ordinary person... what did that have to do with Extraordinary Power? Having come this far by a series of flukes, Gu Shen only felt that the troubles entwining him were growing bigger and bigger. When the day of the audit arrives... the truth of his lack of Extraordinary Power would seem to be revealed. What should he do? He fell into deep thought. ¡°It seems you haven¡¯t fully mastered this power yet... no matter, take it slow,¡± Nan Jin expected as much and said softly, ¡°But there¡¯s something else I need to tell you. This time, to fight for your allegiance, my mentor and the Judgment Chief from the prison almost came to blows... With the ¡®Special Exemption Order¡¯ invoked, many within the Judgement Institute are discontent.¡± ¡°People always envy, despise, and oppose those things that shine brightly; they always want to tarnish, topple, and destroy them,¡± Nan Jin put down the cat and looked directly at Gu Shen, speaking with a slow cadence, ¡°The more others go out of their way to try and crush you, the more it shows your boundless potential and promising future. Instead of shrinking back, giving up, and willingly becoming mediocre, it¡¯s better to rise up, fight, and carve out a transcendent path for yourself.¡± The orange cat meowed and jumped away. Nan Jin enunciated each word, ¡°Heavy lies the crown that wears it.¡± Heavy lies the crown that wears it. Gu Shen looked up thoughtfully, ¡°Did Mr. Shu say these words?¡± ¡°Because of the Special Exemption Order, my mentor is now busy dealing with those stubborn old men at the Judgement Institute, all singed and frazzled.¡± ¡°That was my spur-of-the-moment creation,¡± Nan Jin¡¯s sunglasses slid down, revealing a sly look in her eyes, ¡°After all, you did swear me in as your big brother. I have to comfort you, the newcomer, somehow. How was that for a speech?¡± ¡°That was a good speech from big brother...¡± Gu Shen sincerely praised, then added with a twist, ¡°But don¡¯t ever give it again.¡± ¡°Tch.¡± The trench coat woman seemed unimpressed, pushed her sunglasses back up, and while checking the dagger beneath her coat, she said, ¡°I¡¯ve got important matters tonight, so I won¡¯t keep you company. Get some good rest.¡± Before leaving, she dropped a card. ¡°Here, the PIN is your birthday. There¡¯s some money on this card, consider it compensation for your indenture fee. It should cover your everyday expenses. The mentor asked me to pass on a message for you to take it easy... the audit result isn¡¯t that important, after all, he had his eye on you even before that fire.¡± Chapter 15 - 15 14 Geek ?15: Chapter 14 Geek 15: Chapter 14 Geek Gu Shen was momentarily stunned. That¡¯s right... Before the fire disaster, Mr. Shu had already extended an olive branch. He was somewhat puzzled; if it wasn¡¯t for an ¡°Extraordinary Awakening,¡± what else about him could possibly attract Mr. Shu¡¯s attention? ¡°Meow¡ª¡± After Nan Jin left, the well-behaved orange cat lying on the sofa suddenly had fluorescent light shining in its eyes, and its meow became sharp. It jumped onto Gu Shen¡¯s knee and gestured writing in the air with its paws while meowing continuously. ¡°...Ruler!¡± Gu Shen immediately understood¡ªChu Ling had come back online, ¡°Did you hide the Ruler? Where did you hide it?¡± On the day of the fire disaster, the last of his memories had blurred. After using the Truth Ruler, his spiritual power was depleted, and even the final phone call was made by Chu Ling on his behalf... Although Gu Shen hadn¡¯t experienced what followed, he knew it must have been complicated. The fire had a substantial impact, and the officials must have taken it over and sealed it off directly. And the source of the fire¡ªhis residence¡ªmust have been thoroughly searched inside and out several times already. For a cat to hide the Truth Ruler was not an easy task. The orange cat took Gu Shen¡¯s clothes in its mouth, leading him towards the inner room... arriving in front of the holographic screen, which turned on automatically. Accompanied by the effect of waves washing ashore, that familiar dialogue box popped up again. It was a message from Chu Ling. ¡°Gu Shen, we meet again.¡± After this message appeared, the fluorescent light in the orange cat¡¯s eyes slowly faded. The silly cat yawned, looked around in curiosity as if it didn¡¯t understand why it was there, and then left disdainfully, shaking its tail. Gu Shen narrowed his eyes... While recovering in the hospital bed, he had been pondering a question. How exactly did Chu Ling communicate with him through the orange cat? The only somewhat forced answer he could come up with was technology invasion. In the era where Deep Sea connected five continents, artificial intelligence was highly mature; using implanted chips to control a stray cat was not difficult. But once there are too many coincidences, they are no longer coincidences. His own string of bizarre encounters in the past few days... Chu Ling had anticipated them all in advance and even provided warnings. Along with the stray cat he ¡°coincidentally¡± found half a month ago, stringing these events together, they couldn¡¯t just be simple ¡°coincidences.¡± ¡°You...¡± Gu Shen typed slowly, ¡°Are you a hacker specializing in network cracking?¡± That was the most reasonable explanation he could think of. Either way, the person had saved his life. Gu Shen thought he could trust Chu Ling with confidence. The car¡¯s warning, the fire alert, the last phone call... Had Chu Ling missed any one of these, Gu Shen most likely would have been a goner by now. ¡°Hmm, a hacker specializing in network cracking... an interesting perspective. You can think of it that way,¡± Chu Ling replied quickly and added seriously, ¡°Including but not limited to that.¡± ¡°Including... but not limited to that.¡± Gu Shen repeated to himself, feeling that the girl¡¯s talent and courage were truly intimidating. The cybersecurity of Deep Sea was of utmost importance. As the server linking five continents and responsible for the lives of billions, it was patrolled by the world¡¯s top security teams night and day. Yet Chu Ling was able to hide her identity and converse with him. This was already considered an act of ¡°presumption,¡± a privilege that broke the rules. If she could do even more... it was hard to imagine what the consequences would be if the officials noticed. ¡°What you¡¯re doing... is very dangerous.¡± The more Gu Shen thought about it, the more of a headache he got. If Chu Ling were exposed, it would lead to a very serious large-scale manhunt. By that time, the Judgement Institute would likely be involved in the pursuit as well, and those were all real monsters, ¡°What will you do if you¡¯re discovered?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid,¡± the young girl responded casually and calmly, ¡°They can¡¯t find me... I¡¯ve already sent you the location of the ¡®Truth Ruler.¡¯ I suggest you act tonight, better to get your hands on the item early.¡± It seemed that the girl didn¡¯t care at all about the consequences of being tracked down. Gu Shen didn¡¯t say anything more... He clicked on the data package labeled by Chu Ling as the ¡°Ruler,¡± and a multi-layered three-dimensional map unfolded before his eyes. Gu Shen was silent for a while, without a doubt, this was another powerful privilege that could only be used after linking with Deep Sea. The map was marked with extreme precision. Gu Shen could tell at a glance... It was that half-destroyed building left unfinished due to the fire. Because of the fire disaster, all residents had been evacuated, arranged to stay at a nearby temporary residence, and the building itself was cordoned off with police tape, with no admission for unrelated personnel. This map was real-time; yellow dots could be seen wandering near the old building, and there was an especially conspicuous red dot. ¡°Yellow dots are ordinary people; the red dot is a Transcendent. A Transcendent has already arrived, and after tonight, it¡¯s estimated that the number of combat personnel dispatched by the two entities will gradually increase, as well as Transcendents from unknown paths... The possibility of the Ruler being exposed will increase,¡± Chu Ling simply explained. ¡°See the location of the Ruler? It¡¯s right next to the body of victim number two, tucked inside a pile of planks in the corner of the stairwell leading to the top floor.¡± Gu Shen remembered that spot. With the Ruler, he had meted out Divine Punishment, burning the arsonist alive right there. At the last moment, Chu Ling chose to hide the Ruler there... It was risky. But also very wise. As the origin of the fire, his dwelling was bound to be carefully inspected. If the Ruler was placed there, it would likely have been exposed by now. No other location could ensure it wouldn¡¯t be searched. Only the spot where those two bodies were located, the rooftop and the corridor leading to the rooftop, would be entirely preserved due to being the primary crime scene. He was now a man of the Judgement Institute, and Mr. Shu wouldn¡¯t let go of the true mastermind behind the fire disaster. ¡°The best time to act is tonight at 23:00. There will be a shift change among the workers at the old building; you can take the opportunity to sneak in. This is the action plan before getting the Ruler, and this is the escape route,¡± Chu Ling, like an unfeeling machine, once again sent two files in a package. After opening and reading them carefully, Gu Shen took a deep breath and typed to ask, ¡°What will be the consequences if the Ruler is exposed?¡± There was a brief pause, as if Chu Ling was thinking. Or perhaps she was accessing information. She recounted an ancient incident: ¡°Before losing control, A-009 was an important member of the Ancient Literature Society and had considerable ties with the Deep Sea Godfather, Allen Turing. With the collapse and destruction of the Ancient Literature Society, A-009 started down the path of uncontrollability, which led to being firmly imprisoned. Over the years, she had been moved among multiple cities... A certain high-ranking individual in the council, out of a desire to explore the true cause of the woman¡¯s loss of control, kept conducting experiments. They believed that it was an Extraordinary Item imbued with immense power that caused the complete breakdown of A-009.¡± Gu Shen was shocked. An Extraordinary Item imbued with immense power? ¡°Inside the train car, the bone-knife you saw, and the newspaper... are believed to be the main culprits behind her uncontrollability.¡± ¡°After the loss of control, A-009 perfectly concealed the existence of the Ruler for over a decade. So that high-ranking individual doesn¡¯t know that on her person... was hidden the third Extraordinary Sealed Object,¡± Reading this, Gu Shen began to break out in a cold sweat. ¡°For reasons unknown... A-009 chose to give you the ¡®Truth Ruler,''¡± Chu Ling was succinct. ¡°You don¡¯t need to know the reasons. All you need to understand is... once this Ruler is discovered, the troubles you¡¯ll face will be enormous. The will of that high-ranking individual is not something you can currently contend with.¡± Gu Shen asked with difficulty, ¡°You should know that I¡¯ve been granted ¡®Sanctuary¡¯ with a special pardon.¡± ¡°Of course I know; however, that special pardon only pertains to the surface truth of the fire case... Although the issuer of the special pardon is quite powerful, his protection is based on personal sentiment, not a genuine concern for your life and death,¡± Chu Ling¡¯s response made Gu Shen tense up all over. ¡°But if the ¡®Truth Ruler¡¯ is exposed, allegiances will be thrown into disarray, and it¡¯s highly probable the special pardon will no longer offer protection. Are you prepared to face this outcome?¡± Gu Shen¡¯s gaze was fixed on the screen. Sweat imperceptibly formed on his forehead... His brain operated to the utmost, then paradoxically blanked out. Though reluctant to believe, he knew that what Chu Ling said was right. The Truth Ruler... must never be known to a third person. Exhaling a long breath, Gu Shen made up his mind, ¡°I¡¯ll act tonight, but what about the other Transcendent? What should I do about them?¡± At the other end, Chu Ling was pleased with Gu Shen¡¯s reply. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will assist you... Before you act, change into some clothes. As long as you can connect to Deep Sea, I can contact you at any time.¡± Gu Shen sat in front of the holographic screen, pondering for a very long time, then asked the last question in his heart. ¡°Chu Ling...¡± ¡°Why are you helping me?¡± The dialogue box indicated the other party was typing, backspacing, and eventually returning to stillness. Chu Ling answered all of Gu Shen¡¯s questions. Except for this one, there was no reply. Chapter 16 - 16 15 Balance ?16: Chapter 15 Balance 16: Chapter 15 Balance He had waited for a long time. The other party did not reply again. Gu Shen¡¯s hands left the projection keyboard, feeling a bit regretful. This should be an expected response, right? Some things are important, yet not that important... Gu Shen didn¡¯t want to delve too deeply into Chu Ling¡¯s identity and motives. For now, he just needed to know that this girl was on his side, sincerely helping him, and that was enough. He had carefully reviewed the last two files transmitted. His old residence was cordoned off 20m away with a twisted protective line, strictly barring outsiders, complemented by a few covert surveillance cameras, forming a tight supervision perimeter. All these points had been marked by Chu Ling. And that¡¯s where the loophole appeared¡ª Due to the fire incident, several of the building¡¯s own cameras were damaged, so the temporarily dispatched security personnel¡¯s stationed positions just so happened to have a few blind spots... The first file detailed two routes suitable for infiltration. During staff changeovers, the duty personnel would patrol once after handing over. That was the best opportunity to avoid surveillance and enter the old building. From this perspective... infiltrating wouldn¡¯t be difficult. But according to Chu Ling¡¯s calculations, around 11 p.m., during the personnel change and inspection, there would be about a 1-minute gap; by the time he retrieved the ruler, the new batch of stationed personnel would already be in place. If he were to return the same way, he might be discovered. Therefore, the escape route had to be re-planned. ¡°Escape plan: Leave from point a on the rooftop, using the height difference to move to the adjacent old building b that hasn¡¯t been sealed off.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s expression changed slightly as he stared at the three-dimensional escape map. His old residence was marked as point a, there was another slightly shorter tube building diagonally across, which Chu Ling had marked as point b. Jumping from the building, simple and crude. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious...¡± Gu Shen looked at the spatial gap and height difference between the two 3D maps, feeling somewhat desperate. He fiercely grabbed the orange cat and lifted it to his face: ¡°Hey, do you know that if you slip and fall, you¡¯ll die? Is there no other plan?¡± The innocent kitty meowed, struggling hard. But the evil man was too strong, resistance futile, and it had to comply. It seemed that Chu Ling had already disconnected... Gu Shen sighed. He was very clear that this seemingly most irrational escape route, was actually the most sensible. Going back the same way, there was a good chance of being discovered by the security staff. So, jumping was the only option? ... ... To prepare for tonight¡¯s action, Gu Shen planned to purchase a set of portable equipment that could link to Deep Sea. Real-time communication with Chu Ling, getting the latest updates, would greatly increase the success rate of the operation. But Gu Shen was also very aware that his every action now was probably being monitored. As Nan Jin had said, due to the ¡°special pardon,¡± the Judgement Institute had many people eyeing him... thus his electronic bills would likely be pulled up by interested parties. Now was a good opportunity. After the fire, moving to a new house, there was a lot of ¡°household items¡± needed to be bought, and personal items to connect to Deep Sea were in urgent need. Casually buying them shouldn¡¯t raise any suspicions about his intentions. 7:01 p.m. Less than four hours left until the real action. With time pressing, Gu Shen quickly packed up and left the apartment with the card Nan Jin gave him. Having lived in Da Teng City for seventeen years, Gu Shen always resided in a far-flung and sparsely populated area. The moment he left the apartment, he felt everything around him was so unfamiliar... The clamor and noise carrying the warm wind hit him full on, the crowd surged, neon lights just turned on, steel buildings stood in dense array, and the majestic currents of electronic streams washed over the massive screens in the central square, which were broadcasting a family gathering commercial. This era, this world, was so vast. The silent and invisible electricity, networks, spanning five continents, linked everyone together. Everyone was like a droplet in the sea waves, tightly packed, and making a sound could splash water. Yet he was the exception. All along, Gu Shen felt like he was a solitary grain of sand on the beach. Deep Sea connected the whole world, but not him. Gathering his coat, he donned his hat, and squeezed into the crowd. The apartment was in the bustling heart of the city center. The nearest supermarket was a 5-minute walk away. Pushing the shopping cart, Gu Shen selected some daily consumables and headed to the electronics section. A petite and adorable pink wheeled robot slowly approached Gu Shen, its two pincers took hold of the shopping cart to help push it, and it inquired enthusiastically. ¡°Sir, hello! May I help you find something?¡± Large supermarkets had already popularized unmanned shopping, where intelligent machinery could perform most of the shopping guide tasks. But Gu Shen knew that beneath that pink and soft cute robotic shell flowed not emotions, but emotionless code, and the cloud database in the background would store every conversation the robot had with customers. Nowadays, Deep Sea connections had become an indispensable necessity. Almost every new electronic product was capable of providing wireless network connection services. Before coming here, Gu Shen had entertained the thought, if he bought Holographic Glasses or a Holographic Helmet... he wondered whether Chu Ling¡¯s technology could achieve synchronized construction cross-sectional diagrams, as well as real-time personnel movements. He glanced at the price of the Holographic Glasses... 12,999. Then he peeked at the Holographic Helmet, 39,999. It seemed this was just the mini version, there was also a plus, and a plus max. That¡¯s... incredibly expensive! He only had five thousand in his bank account. The pink robot accompanied Gu Shen, starting and stopping alongside him, sensing Gu Shen¡¯s hesitation, it began a passionate pitch: ¡°This model is the latest Holographic Glasses by Huazhi Group, equipped with the most recent lifi technology, capable of 256 hours of battery life, perfectly addressing everyday work and entertainment needs... The promotional price is just 12,999, and if you decide to apply for a membership card, you can also enjoy...¡± ¡°Okay, okay...¡± Gu Shen, starting to feel a headache, cut off the chatty robot mercilessly, ¡°I¡¯ll just buy a pair of wireless earphones, the basic model will do. Lead the way.¡± Holographic Glasses and helmets were certainly useful, but the latter was too bulky and not convenient for movement. The former... it wasn¡¯t that Gu Shen felt sorry for the money; with Nan Jin¡¯s bank card and his own savings, buying a pair of glasses should not be a problem. What mattered most was the ¡°electronic bill¡± for this shopping trip¡ªit was just a routine purchase for relocating to a new home; there was no reason to buy a pair of Holographic Glasses right off the bat. ¡°...¡± ¡°Very well, please follow me.¡± The robot paused briefly, then led Gu Shen with a left turn followed by another left. Gu Shen chose a very affordable pair of wireless earphones, less than two hundred yuan, capable of linking to the Deep Sea. He had had his eye on this pair for a long time, and now was the perfect opportunity to purchase them. The pink robot assisted Gu Shen with his cart all the way to the self-checkout machine. Its base slowly rose as it used its round suction-cup hands to take out each item one by one and place them on the counter. ¡°The total comes to 556.5 yuan.¡± Hmm... not expensive. Although it hurt a bit, it was acceptable. Without hesitation, Gu Shen immediately produced his scarcely-filled bank card to pay. Although the Judgement Institute had arranged a luxurious apartment for him and provided a bank card for ¡°sufficient daily expenses¡±... unconditionally accepting favors was not in Gu Shen¡¯s nature; he still had money, and this money was also ¡°sufficient for daily expenses.¡± Of course, there were also considerations for the possibility of an ¡°electronic shopping list¡± being investigated in the future in his decision not to use the provided card. After paying, Gu Shen took out another card. ¡°Check the balance on this card too, please...¡± his emotions were mixed. The Judgement Institute was generous, solving his housing issue¡ªhow much would this card hold? Reflecting on Nan Jin¡¯s expression, for sufficient daily expenses... five thousand? Ten thousand? If those guys had investigated his daily life, they should know that he spent just two or three thousand a month to cover it. ¡°Beep¡ª¡± Gu Shen stared blankly at the screen, lost in thought. Personal, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands... The amount Nan Jin left him wasn¡¯t so exaggerated that he had to count the digits to ascertain the sum, but Gu Shen still counted several times to make sure he hadn¡¯t made a mistake. ¡°...¡± Gu Shen stared at the screen, feeling somewhat dazed. Five hundred thousand. In the bank card Nan Jin gave him, there was a total of five hundred thousand. In his whole life. He had never seen this much money. Chapter 17 - 17 16 Nocturnal Activities ?17: Chapter 16 Nocturnal Activities 17: Chapter 16 Nocturnal Activities ¡°Discussing why a second generation rich kid with a half a million in savings would only buy a hundred yuan pair of cheap headphones...¡± The girl¡¯s voice faintly arose. The sound quality was a bit rough, also mingled with a very faint electrical hissing noise. Gu Shen had just snugly inserted the in-ear headphones and put on a cap when he heard Chu Ling¡¯s complaint. He had always communicated with the girl through screen texts. The voice he heard during their first encounter in the train car had long since faded like a dream, not distinctly remembered. Chu Ling¡¯s voice was pleasant to the ear, ethereal like an elf¡¯s, but unlike her delicate appearance, her voice sounded strong and full-bodied, making one feel grounded and secure. This time, Gu Shen did not feel like he was dreaming. ¡°You connected so quickly, huh.¡± He earnestly explained, ¡°It¡¯s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to revert to frugality from luxury. There¡¯s also the matter of the ¡®electronic bill¡¯...¡± Even knowing early on that there was half a million on that card, he would have made the same choice. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting already,¡± the girl said with a laugh, somewhat helplessly, ¡°Have you forgotten what I do?¡± ¡°Regarding the electronic bill, I can help you smooth things over, just erasing some records is all. Buy a better set of equipment next time. Actually, the first pair of glasses you had were pretty good.¡± Gu Shen was somewhat surprised. The scene of himself picking and choosing in the supermarket...had Chu Ling seen it? But it was within reason; with her powerful connection privileges, it wouldn¡¯t be strange for her to see anything. ¡°But for this operation...you did actually buy the right equipment,¡± Chu Ling said. ¡°There are too many places that require real-time surveillance; just be careful not to expose yourself. I¡¯ll help you keep watch.¡± Night fell, and as he moved away from the city center, the dazzling neon lights gradually faded. The old city district was like a silent, faded tapestry, clear in its colors. After the sunset, one by one, the streetlights illuminated only their immediate vicinity. The dark and light appeared as if cleaved apart by ink¡ª Gu Shen was pressed into a secluded corner, just outside the scope of a streetlight¡¯s glow, donning a loose-fitting black tracksuit, like a shadow standing on end. At that moment, he silently gazed at the security line a hundred meters away. 10:45 PM. Fifteen minutes remained until the operation commenced. He had arrived an hour early, choosing a prime location at a blind spot in the surveillance, where he could clearly oversee the entirety of the old building¡¯s security line. At present, he could see security patrols positioned by the line, and a shuttle bus pulling up beside it. ¡°Has the shift change arrived early?¡± Gu Shen was trying hard to regulate his breathing, calming his mind. ¡°Plans never change as quickly as... Is it time to take action now?¡± Ordinarily, they would arrive five minutes early. ¡°Perhaps this is all part of the plan?¡± Chu Ling said softly with a chuckle, ¡°Take another close look.¡± Gu Shen had always had good eyesight. Squinting, he saw several workers in bulky protective gear and masks disembarking from the shuttle, one of them stepping forward to converse with the security personnel at the front of the security line. ¡°These are researchers responsible for extracting on-site information,¡± Chu Ling explained slowly. ¡°Because the bodies of the two Transcendents who attacked you were severely damaged, their identities can no longer be discerned... Hence, they need to rely on certain technical means to reconstruct the scene.¡± In a low voice, Gu Shen asked, ¡°Does this mean, these researchers are all from the Judgement Institute?¡± ¡°They should be,¡± responded Chu Ling. ¡°With such a major incident involving you, Zhou Jiren would definitely scrutinize this case closely, following the trail from those two Transcendents to uncover the assassination organization behind them.¡± Gu Shen nodded, in line with what he had previously thought. He suddenly paused, ¡°Wait a minute...¡± ¡°They should be?¡± ¡°When you¡¯re the fish on the chopping board, you might as well make a final leap for life.¡± ¡°Zhou Jiren is about to make a move. Those people don¡¯t want to wait quietly for their demise. If they destroy the original crime scene and the evidence, they could end up with no evidence to convict them with.¡± Chu Ling¡¯s voice carried a mocking tone, ¡°The real researchers haven¡¯t arrived yet. Those are imposters.¡± Cold sweat beaded on Gu Shen¡¯s forehead. The fake researchers had already taken out their credentials. It seemed that the security personnel responsible for patrols were complete outsiders, summoned suddenly due to the emergency... They did not recognize the counterfeit credentials nor realize that some were impersonating shift workers. Someone was already opening the security line to let them through. ¡°No need to worry. The show has just begun. It won¡¯t be so easy for them to succeed.¡± Chu Ling¡¯s voice became serious at this moment, ¡°Have you memorized the infiltration route? The action is about to start.¡± Gu Shen nodded. He intently watched the distance. Just as the security personnel were about to let them through, a dark figure slowly emerged from the decrepit night of the old building, stretching out a hand to stop the researchers clad in cumbersome protective gear. ... ... ¡°Hold on.¡± When that voice sounded. It wasn¡¯t just the researchers who were startled. Even the security personnel entrusted with patrols were taken aback. Most of the security here had rushed over at the first sign of the fire outbreak, evacuating people and protecting victims... Due to the urgency of the matter and immediate deployment, after completing these tasks, they set up the security line strictly according to higher orders. For twenty-four hours, they had kept outsiders from entering, all to protect the integrity of the primary crime scene, awaiting the arrival of the subsequent personnel tasked with taking over. They were certain, no one had entered the scene. Yet, this voice was clearly coming from inside the security perimeter... Damn it! Out of the dark and gloomy old building emerged a slender young man, with handsome features and skin so pale he looked like a vampire ¡ª seemingly so fragile that a gust of wind might knock him down. ¡°Zhong... Mr. Zhong Wei!¡± The captain responsible for guarding the scene recognized the young man¡¯s identity and immediately stood at attention to salute him. The sudden fire incident seemed to involve something significant. The security personnel who arrived first were given only one directive: protect the scene. They knew nothing else, only that after tonight¡¯s shift change, a very powerful special case unit would take over the investigation. The captain had slightly more information, just a bit more than the others ¡ª he had seen an additional photograph. It was a photograph of Zhong Wei. Rumour had it that the leader of the imminent special case unit ¡ª the so-called person in charge ¡ª was this frail-looking young man before them. ¡°Hmm.¡± Zhong Wei gave the captain a polite nod of acknowledgment as if they had met before, then took out his credentials and briefly introduced himself to the other security personnel: ¡°Special case unit, Zhong Wei.¡± ¡°You... You¡¯ve been here already?¡± The captain gave a wry smile. That voice earlier had scared the daylights out of him; he thought there had been some oversight. Fortunately, it was one of their own. ¡°Just arrived,¡± Zhong Wei said without explaining, his voice calm, ¡°The colleagues taking over haven¡¯t arrived yet, so I just took a look around the scene.¡± In fact, he had been here all along. It¡¯s just that the security personnel hadn¡¯t noticed. This case involved a Transcendent. Zhong Wei had arrived at the old building the moment he was notified, to prevent any accidents before the commissioners from the Judgement Institute could arrive. After Zhong Wei appeared. On each side of the security line, everyone became unusually silent. The few researchers accompanying him, clad in bulky protective gear and face shields, visibly stiffened in their movements. Only the lead individual remained composed throughout, slowly pulling back their credentials after the inspection. ¡°Mr. Zhong Wei... I just checked their credentials... The seals are fine...¡± The captain sensed something was off and signaled his team to pull back the security tape. ¡°Oh? But seals can¡¯t be faked, can they...¡± Zhong Wei approached the lead researcher, ¡°Since it¡¯s real, I might as well check again.¡± He extended his hand, signaling for the credentials to be handed over. The other slowly offered the credentials. At the moment of exchange¡ª A muffled laugh emerged from within the soundproof mask. With a ¡°hiss¡±, the credentials burst into flames, flaring up like a magician¡¯s fireworks. The fire exploded out of nowhere! This scene caught all the nearby security personnel off guard; they didn¡¯t even see what happened but only witnessed a sudden bright burst of fire, like a starting pistol signaling a chase¡ª The researchers, clad in their oversized protective gear, started to charge forward, their bodies unexpectedly strong like bulls, knocking over the security personnel in front of them. They then broke through the security line and aggressively made for the old building. ¡°Bang!¡± Zhong Wei¡¯s expression turned grim as he kicked and shattered the nearby fireworks in anticipation. His speed was astonishingly fast, the seemingly frail frame hiding a ferocious power. He turned with a sweeping leg kick, flipping one of the burly researchers who were trying to breach inward. The ¡°magician¡± who had caused the chaos in the first place turned and ran. Zhong Wei shouted angrily, ¡°Stop them!¡± Over a dozen security personnel rushed in, tackling the robust men who were desperately trying to break into the old building. These men were only physically strong, not Transcendents! They had to catch the ringleader... Zhong Wei¡¯s eyes were ice-cold as he instantly focused on the fleeing figure. The man was cunning, darting into a minibus, ready to drive away. Zhong Wei took a deep breath, and he began to run, his speed inhuman, more akin to a cheetah. As the minibus started up, Zhong Wei leaped, grabbing onto the roof with both hands. Following that, the mid-sized bus careened wildly, leaving plumes of smoke in its wake, swaying like a serpent as it drifted. Zhong Wei clung on like a nail hammered firm. With a violent pivot turn. Zhong Wei maintained his balance, rolled aside with the momentum, and kicked in the window to land inside the minibus. He spoke coldly. ¡°Since you dared to come, don¡¯t even think about leaving.¡± Chapter 18 - 18 17 Fishing Law Enforcement ?18: Chapter 17 Fishing Law Enforcement 18: Chapter 17 Fishing Law Enforcement ¡°It¡¯s now¡ª¡± ¡°Go!¡± The moment Zhong Wei started moving, Chu Ling¡¯s voice rang out. Gu Shen, having adjusted his breathing to the best state, had a sharp glint fleeting across his eyes. He knew... the moment had come! Pressing down the brim of his hat, Gu Shen, like a ghost, followed the original plan, bypassing surveillance, and swiftly made his way to the old building. It had to be said, Chu Ling¡¯s plan was flawless. The chaos not only led away the trickiest Transcendent but also completely distracted the security personnel! Gu Shen¡¯s infiltration went exceptionally smoothly. He reached the shadowy old building, advancing quickly. Following Chu Ling¡¯s hints, he turned and shifted, dodging the surveillance, and finally arrived at the rooftop corridor protected by a double layer of security lines. Just one more step, and he would be at the crime scene. Forty hours had passed. The scene was well preserved, almost no objects had been moved. ¡°Because of the fire, the original surveillance on the rooftop was damaged,¡± Chu Ling reminded, ¡°See that pile of planks? The Truth Ruler is buried under them.¡± Gu Shen nodded, crossed the protective line, slowly squatted down, put on gloves, and lifted the not too thick planks. A silver ruler lay in the dust. Luckily, the Ruler hadn¡¯t been discovered... The moment Gu Shen touched the Truth Ruler, he let out a long sigh of relief. He held the ruler, his previously tense nerves relaxing, as if a refreshing stream was flowing through his heart. ¡°Whew... Got it.¡± Gu Shen didn¡¯t immediately evacuate but instead turned around and looked at the corpse in close proximity, just silently staring... The Transcendent had already been burnt to charcoal by the flames, his clothes reduced to ash, leaving only a dry, charred skeleton. ¡°The item is secured, now we can evacuate,¡± Chu Ling reminded him. Gu Shen didn¡¯t make a move but asked in a low voice, ¡°What are the technical methods of the Judgement Institute?¡± The girl paused. ¡°The common method is to extract DNA from blood, bones, and bodily fluids to search for the person in the Deep See database. However, lives destroyed by Extraordinary Power might have mutated genes, making these methods ineffective,¡± she slowly said. ¡°This time, the Judgement Institute might send a Spiritual Transcendent to profile the well-preserved crime scene. There are many methods. Why do you ask?¡± ¡°Finger bones.¡± Gu Shen suddenly spoke, ¡°This person¡¯s finger bone is missing a piece.¡± Chu Ling was stunned. Due to the lack of surveillance, she couldn¡¯t use her authority to observe Gu Shen¡¯s current scene; she could only communicate with Gu Shen via voice. But even if there were video, what could be done? Who, in such a dark environment, would notice... that the charred corpse was missing a piece of a pinky bone? The missing piece of finger bone meant that someone had already removed key evidence from the scene. ¡°It was Mr. Shu.¡± Gu Shen said softly, ¡°The protection on the rooftop was just a facade. The information that needed to be extracted had already been taken. He had laid the trap and waited for someone to fall into it.¡± If preparations had been made early... then why would the Transcendent guarding the old building leave so easily? A thought appeared in Gu Shen¡¯s mind. Play the long game to catch the big fish. ¡°Gu Shen, leave quickly.¡± Chu Ling¡¯s voice suddenly became tense, ¡°A Transcendent has appeared, one... no, two! They are closing in on this place!¡± ¡°Heh.¡± Instead of being surprised, Gu Shen quickly stood up and went to the rooftop. At a glance, he could see the pristine white sheets drenched with splashes of blood, shocking to behold, even hard for him to believe he had done that himself. No wonder the people from the Judgement Institute gave him an ¡°S¡± rating. Only a devil could commit such acts. If he guessed right, Mr. Shu had taken a piece of the finger and the fresh blood from the rooftop. These two pieces of evidence were enough to trace the gene sequence... His own blackout and rescue details were secrets, as was Mr. Shu¡¯s arrival at the crime scene. Those wanting to sabotage the scene and destroy evidence were completely unaware of this information and had no choice but to make a desperate move. The knife was raised. The fish could only await death. ¡°Splash¡ª¡± The sound of the wind was fierce on the rooftop. Gu Shen grasped the ruler, leapt down, this time not using too much spiritual power to imagine a grand scene, but simply imagining wind unfolding into wings behind him. The ruler let out a clear ring. The fierce wind carried his body, gently pushing him a distance away. The young man glided through the night wind, landing steadily on the shorter rooftop of the old building. ¡°Gu Shen... you¡¯re even smarter than I thought.¡± Once he left the cramped hallway space, Chu Ling¡¯s ¡°vision¡± also broadened. She witnessed the scene of the young man riding the wind. Using the Truth Ruler for only the second time, Gu Shen had already mastered the trick. It was truly an astonishing learning ability. After landing, Gu Shen crouched down on the spot, hiding in the darkness. He grinned, his complexion obviously three shades paler than before. The external noises became somewhat harsh at that moment, piercing straight through to his mind. Gu Shen discovered that for a period of time after using the Ruler, he was unable to concentrate. His spirit was scattered, possibly a side effect of utilizing the Ruler, which might be related to his unfamiliarity and also to his insufficient spiritual power. He took a few deep breaths to regain his composure. For him, conjuring images was not difficult, and with the Ruler in hand, activation was not a problem. However, the consumption of using the Truth Ruler was a significant hidden danger. The usage of the ¡°Truth Ruler,¡± like flipping a switch, even just for a second... would consume a substantial amount of spirit. Was he already struggling after just a few seconds? This won¡¯t do! He wondered whether Mr. Shu had any specialized methods for refining spiritual power... Gu Shen resolved that the Truth Ruler was now his greatest reliance, his life-saving ace! After returning, he must enhance his spiritual power to better control it. ¡°Did you just say... you sensed a Transcendent approaching?¡± Gu Shen sat crouched in a dark corner, taking several minutes to catch his breath. ¡°Yes,¡± Chu Ling spoke with a hint of confusion, ¡°but these two Transcendents... did not appear together.¡± ¡°Of course not...¡± Gu Shen chuckled softly, ¡°It seems you are not omniscient after all.¡± Chu Ling became even more puzzled. ¡°The Transcendents stationed by the Judgement Institute were lured away by a deception, but this... is actually an invitation to catch them in the act,¡± Gu Shen stated succinctly. ¡°The watcher left, and that¡¯s when the real big fish shows up. That¡¯s our cue to close the net.¡± Chu Ling then understood, ¡°Are you saying... one of the two Transcendents I detected is from the Judgement Institute?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°The one who snuck into the old building ahead was trying to destroy the scene on the rooftop, little knowing they were already being targeted,¡± Gu Shen found it somewhat amusing, ¡°This operation, we simply call ¡®fishing law enforcement.¡¯ As he spoke, ¡°Boom-boom-boom¡ª¡± At the entrance to the old building¡¯s rooftop, a noise blasted through the air. Two figures, one after the other, burst out of the narrow exit of the rooftop. Gu Shen, hidden in the shadows, looked up... He saw a familiar figure in a trench coat, striking gallantly with crossed swords, overwhelming the opponent completely. [¡°I have important matters tonight, so I won¡¯t accompany you.¡±] So, the ¡°important matters¡± Nan Jin referred to... concerned this... Gu Shen breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that he had chosen the right moment and had disengaged just in time. The battle was completely one-sided. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Thousands of flashes of sword light blossomed in the night. Accompanied by a scream of anger and agony, the pitiful mantis was impaled through the shoulder by the oriole and hung high above the rooftop. The trench coat fluttered noisily. Nan Jin¡¯s arm strength was impressive; she held up the struggling man at a ninety-degree angle, her voice soft as she spoke, ¡°Move again, and I¡¯ll kill you.¡± ¡°Hiss...¡± The opponent clenched his teeth, looking down at his suspended position. This was the height of eleven floors... With his current injuries, if he were to break free from the sword tip and fall, death was certain. And this insane woman¡¯s combat ability was too terrifying. After some consideration, he decided to comply quietly, no longer struggling. Nan Jin, expressionless, flicked her sword, and like a sack of sand, she tossed the now crippled Transcendent harshly onto the ground. ¡°...Hmm?¡± She suddenly furrowed her brows, her gaze fixing on a certain point in the shadows of the adjacent old building. Why did it feel like someone was watching her? Nan Jin raised her sword again, the blade pointed in the direction she sensed, and a mighty Sword Force surged forth. Gu Shen, who had ducked back and was hiding behind a large rooftop vat, felt his breathing suddenly become rigid... This woman¡¯s sense of perception was too strong, wasn¡¯t it? From such a distance, she wouldn¡¯t really throw her sword, would she? Gu Shen¡¯s back was soaked with cold sweat. His instinct told him that if Nan Jin actually hurled her sword, he might be shredded into pieces. Fortunately... after hovering for several seconds, the overwhelming Sword Force gradually dissipated. ¡°Didn¡¯t sense the presence of a Transcendent... was I overthinking?¡± Nan Jin relaxed her brows, the priority was to take the man in front of her back. She sheathed her silver sword, leapt back to the rooftop, and picked up the half-dead sack, murmuring, ¡°Come with me.¡± Chapter 19 - 19 18 Suspect ?19: Chapter 18 Suspect 19: Chapter 18 Suspect A sunny morning. Gu Shen sat up, stretched a big lazy stretch, and rubbed his eyes. ¡°Meow~~¡± A certain orange cat was exceptionally well-behaved, lying honestly on the balcony and whimpering softly as if asking for help. Gu Shen rubbed his eyes again, making sure he was not seeing things. Specifically, the orange cat was lying in the arms of a woman in a trench coat on the balcony... at this moment, it was licking its fur intermittently, apparently restless, but due to the pressure emanating from a certain superior being, it didn¡¯t dare to leave without permission. Gu Shen was so startled that he picked up the blanket: ¡°Big brother, how did you get in?¡± Nan Jin was comfortably lying in a sleigh rocking chair, with an elegant breakfast of toast, fried eggs, and coffee placed on the circular glass tabletop, currently holding a stack of newspapers, bathing in the warm, gentle sunlight and breeze. The woman in the trench coat calmly responded as naturally as she possibly could, ¡°I¡¯m paying the rent for this room, why can¡¯t I come in?¡± ¡°...¡± Gu Shen found himself at a loss for words. ¡°Where were you last night?¡± Nan Jin took a sip of coffee and suddenly asked. Gu Shen scratched his head, ¡°Went out to buy some stuff, and then... fell asleep. I¡¯ve been really tired these few days.¡± Upon reflection, what he said was the absolute truth. These past few days had indeed been exhausting. When the operation concluded last night, Gu Shen didn¡¯t return to his apartment until midnight, possibly exhausted again from using the Truth Ruler. This response was seamless, as Chu Ling had already erased the apartment¡¯s access records for him. ¡°Hmm...¡± As expected, Nan Jin had just asked casually, but then she added, ¡°Good news or bad news, which do you want to hear first?¡± Gu Shen breathed a sigh of relief, ¡°Well... how about the good news first?¡± ¡°We made a breakthrough in the fire case,¡± Nan Jin closed the newspaper and turned back to look at the young man, ¡°Last night, someone tried to destroy the body and eliminate evidence, but we caught them.¡± ¡°Ohhh...¡± Gu Shen, still looking half asleep, asked puzzled, ¡°Who do we refer to by ¡®we¡¯?¡± ¡°Because of you, your teacher specially transferred two strong enforcers from other cities in the Qinghe District.¡± Gu Shen felt a tingling sensation on his scalp as he listened. Someone even Nan Jin referred to as a strong enforcer must be terrifying... last night was chased by one of them. There was another one he probably hadn¡¯t met until he left. Seeing Gu Shen¡¯s reaction, Nan Jin seemed satisfied and casually mentioned, ¡°You can also call them... senior brother, senior sister.¡± Gu Shen was a bit dazed. ¡°The audition date for the Judgement Institute is set, fifteen days from now,¡± Nan Jin spoke as if mentioning an insignificant little matter, ¡°These two seniors have come to give you special training.¡± ¡°Hey, hey, hey...¡± ¡°What the hell is ¡®special training¡¯?!¡± This was completely unexpected for Gu Shen, who tried to muster a smile, ¡°Big brother, big brother! Have you forgotten? Didn¡¯t you tell me before that the audition doesn¡¯t matter? Didn¡¯t Mr. Shu favor me for something other than this?¡± ¡°It really isn¡¯t the teacher¡¯s idea¡ª¡± Nan Jin said helplessly, ¡°I don¡¯t know why, but the teacher has high hopes for you and is extremely confident. It seems like he believes that without doing much, you¡¯re going to shock the entire Judgement Institute.¡± Gu Shen silently thought. In a way, that was true... If he didn¡¯t do anything, he might become the worst-performing newcomer in the history of the auditions, bar none. By then, wouldn¡¯t everyone be more than just shocked? ¡°The teacher originally just wanted the two senior fellow apprentices to help investigate the fire case. He didn¡¯t expect that after they reviewed the files, they would be so eager to meet you, the newcomer with extraordinary talent,¡± Nan Jin shrugged. ¡°They were all monsters who secured A-grade evaluations during their reviews, so it¡¯s perfectly reasonable for them to want to see what a shock the ¡®Special Pardon Order¡¯ has caused with you.¡± ¡°Perfectly reasonable...¡± Gu Shen¡¯s voice suddenly turned listless. He could probably guess why, overnight, Nan Jin¡¯s attitude towards the ¡°review¡± had changed. It was clear that Mr. Shu¡¯s lineage held an extremely high status in the Judgement Institute. Otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t have been possible for the congressional bigwigs to deploy a Special Pardon Order. But precisely because the ¡°Special Pardon Order¡± was invoked, everyone from this lineage was forced to bear considerable pressure... If he wasn¡¯t mistaken, the reason Mr. Shu hadn¡¯t appeared after bailing him out was because of the disputes over the Special Pardon Order within the Judgement Institute that he had to resolve personally. Some unexpected turn of events must have occurred¡ª The controversy over that Special Pardon Order eventually led to his own ¡°review¡± of Extraordinary Abilities... If his review results proved to be outstanding, then setting a precedent by using the Special Pardon Order to preserve talent would naturally follow. In other words. With an S-grade, everyone would shut up. ... ... ¡°The bad news is that last night, a heavyweight meeting about the Special Pardon Order was held within the Judgement Institute,¡± Nan Jin said seriously. ¡°Representatives from all districts of East Continent condemned the teacher, and some even initiated impeachment proceedings.¡± ¡°Impeachment?¡± Gu Shen was surprised. ¡°Is it that serious?¡± ¡°Actually, impeachment is nothing new, because of the teacher¡¯s style of doing things, there are impeachments every year,¡± Nan Jin held her forehead and said, ¡°But this time, the situation may be more severe because it involves the upper echelons of the congress. Some old-timers in the Judgement Institute exerted their full strength using ¡®Special Pardon Order¡¯ as leverage... The outcome of this meeting might not bode well for you.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s heart sank. He had an ominous feeling... The outcome of this meeting was no longer just about whether it was pressuring or not. Perhaps it was worse than he had originally anticipated! ¡°The heads of various districts of the Judgement Institute unanimously agree that using the Special Pardon Order on you was inappropriate,¡± Nan Jin said with a bitter smile. ¡°Unless, in the upcoming review, you can prove your potential is sufficiently strong... otherwise, the Special Pardon Order will be revoked.¡± Just as expected. Chu Ling¡¯s earlier predictions were completely accurate. The protection of the Special Pardon Order was only temporary... His survival was at the whim of the higher-ups, and with any small change, he could instantly go from ¡®lucky¡¯ to ¡®unlucky¡¯. Gu Shen stroked his chin, murmuring, ¡°If the Special Pardon Order is revoked, I might face charges from the prison again...¡± After such an ordeal with the Special Pardon Order. The Judgment Chief, likely would not place him under the prison¡¯s control anymore. According to the laws of East Continent, he might face 24 hours of strict surveillance and even imprisonment. ¡°Unless...¡± Gu Shen thought of a solution. ¡°Unless the fire case is thoroughly investigated.¡± Nan Jin spoke for him, ¡°The prison¡¯s charge of losing control needs to be based on the premise of ¡®intentional murder.¡¯ Thoroughly investigating the fire case can prove that you were acting in self-defense.¡± ¡°Yes, exactly...¡± Gu Shen sorted out his thoughts. He let out a long sigh of relief, puzzled, ¡°Wasn¡¯t the criminal caught last night? The fire case should have been resolved quickly...¡± ¡°This case is more complicated than we imagined.¡± Nan Jin shook her head. She stood up, and the orange cat in her arms took the opportunity to dash away. ¡°Gu Shen, you probably don¡¯t have much time to rest... better come with me and see the situation for yourself.¡± Chapter 20 - 20 19 Dream Casting ?20: Chapter 19 Dream Casting 20: Chapter 19 Dream Casting Nan Jin brought Gu Shen to the second basement level of a skyscraper in the city center. This was a detention facility of the Judgement Institute. Inside the prison cell, the lights were blindingly bright. Several muscular men, wearing undershirts, were tied up tightly, their muscles bulged. Ever since they were subdued, they had been persistently struggling, and their strength was astonishing; the thudding sounds of their impacts could be heard even through the walls. Gu Shen recognized these men at a glance... from their physiques, they were the ¡°fake researchers¡± from last night! He asked, ¡°Are these the suspects caught last night?¡± ¡°Yes, and no...¡± Nan Jin shook her head. ¡°They are actually rugby players.¡± Rugby... players? No wonder! Gu Shen thought back to the scene from yesterday; the way these men had breached the security line was just like wild beasts! Nan Jin switched off the holographic screen. The files of these men appeared one by one. She sighed, ¡°These people are all amateur rugby players from Da Teng City, they have always been good citizens with no criminal records... They suffered cognitive dysfunction because they were hypnotized by a Spiritual Transcendent.¡± ¡°Spiritual Transcendent?¡± Gu Shen frowned. ¡°Cognitive... dysfunction?¡± ¡°They believe they are angry bulls.¡± A strange female voice drifted over. Gu Shen¡¯s spirits lifted as he looked toward the source of the voice, the last Transcendent who had not revealed herself last night, this must be the ¡°Senior Sister¡± Nan Jin had mentioned. From the corner emerged a girl... clad in a gray hoodie and a short skirt, not particularly tall, with a youthful face and baby fat, appearing to be only about fifteen or sixteen years old. ¡°That guy hiding behind the scenes is quite clever.¡± The baby-faced girl chewed her gum slowly. ¡°The interrogation over there just finished, unfortunately, the men you and Zhong Wei caught are just hypnotized pawns.¡± The girl in the gray hoodie blew a large bubble with her gum, her gaze full of interest as she observed Gu Shen. In the shadow behind her, stood a handsome young man with a somber beauty, also casting a benevolent scrutinizing look at Gu Shen. The girl smiled, ¡°Is this the S-rank rookie who was saved by the ¡®special pardon¡¯?¡± ¡°Yep.¡± Nan Jin nodded and introduced Gu Shen solemnly, ¡°These two are Senior Sister Luo Er and Senior Brother Zhong Wei.¡± ¡°Is she really a Senior Sister...¡± Gu Shen stretched his hand to compare heights, murmuring doubtfully in a low voice, ¡°She looks even younger than me, so tiny, could she still be a minor?¡± Pop. The bubble of gum burst. Her height had been slighted... a dark line appeared on Luo Er¡¯s forehead. The handsome young man, Zhong Wei, laid his hands on the shoulders of his Senior Sister, softly smiling, ¡°Come now, with your appearance, it¡¯s no wonder that the rookie is confused...¡± Zhong Wei smiled at Gu Shen. In the moment their eyes met, a voice surged unbidden into Gu Shen¡¯s mind. It was Zhong Wei¡¯s voice¡ª ¡°Many years ago, due to a certain ¡®Extraordinary event¡¯, Senior Sister Luo¡¯s body became as it is now; her skeletal age will forever remain at fifteen. In fact, she has been studying Cultivation with Mr. Shu for the longest time, her strength is also the strongest, and she is a Senior Sister acknowledged and respected by everyone, truly a grandmaster.¡± Was this voice another application of Extraordinary Power? Gu Shen was surprised to find... this handsome young man was nothing like the fierce figure he had glimpsed the night before. Zhong Wei¡¯s performance when chasing the magician had been incisively decisive, like a cheetah¡ªfast, accurate, ruthless, making one¡¯s heart tremble. He was a merciless character when it came to enemies! Yet to him, this new recruit taken in by Mr. Shu, he was extraordinarily gentle. ¡°The cause of the influence of Extraordinary Power sometimes makes Senior Sister Luo¡¯s temper uncontrollable. Try to be more careful in the future,¡± Zhong Wei¡¯s telepathic message was exceptionally serious. ¡°However, if you do anger her, there¡¯s a simple solution.¡± The telepathic communication ended. ¡°Senior Sister, here, have some candy!¡± Zhong Wei with a smiling face, took out a lollipop from his jacket pocket. Three seconds later. With the lollipop in her mouth, Luo Er became docile and gentle as a little animal, though her voice was muffled and unclear. Disdain written all over her fierce face, she said, ¡°Who would lower themselves to argue with a newcomer... Moreover, whether this kid can even become a newcomer is still in question.¡± Phew... so the solution is that simple. Gu Shen breathed a sigh of relief and cast a subtly grateful look towards Zhong Wei. ... ... In the corner of the second underground level, there were two heavily guarded detention cells, with very high standards. The ¡°Magician¡± and the ¡°Intruder¡± from last night were locked up here. ¡°These two Transcendents, despite their abilities, are very average and haven¡¯t even undergone systematic training,¡± Luo Er slowly explained, ¡°The Spiritual Transcendent hiding behind the scenes must possess a ¡®Dream Casting¡¯ type of ability. He layered several Dreams over these people, confusing reality with illusion, and then influenced their subconscious minds. Up to now, these Transcendents are still not clear about what they have done...¡± ¡°Dream Casting?¡± ¡°Mm... Pulling someone¡¯s consciousness into an illusion, known as Dream Casting, usually only done by Spiritual Extraordinaries. As time passes, the Dreams will slowly collapse. The fact that they haven¡¯t awakened yet indicates a substantial gap in strength between them.¡± Seeing Gu Shen¡¯s confused face, Luo Er frowned and asked, ¡°Nan Jin, how does he know nothing?¡± ¡°It happened so suddenly, there was no time to teach him,¡± Nan Jin said. ¡°Before the fire incident, he was a complete ordinary person.¡± He still is now, in fact... Gu Shen silently scoffed to himself. ¡°We are short on time; we only have fifteen days,¡± she took a breath, ¡°In fifteen days, Gu Shen will face the Judgement Institute¡¯s ¡®evaluation¡¯. If the result is unsatisfactory, the special pardon might be revoked. That means Gu Shen could face imprisonment, and all the teacher¡¯s hard work would have been wasted.¡± ¡°With the special pardon already invoked, if the evaluation goes poorly, we must at least ensure Gu Shen¡¯s safety,¡± Zhong Wei frowned. ¡°And as for the genetic evidence from the fire case, to extract and identify it according to protocol needs at least twenty days... From the perspective of solving the case, it¡¯s already too late.¡± ¡°This arrangement has been like startling the snake by hitting the grass,¡± Luo Er said. ¡°After their failure, they knew it would be impossible to stop us from extracting information from the scene; they likely won¡¯t risk entering the situation again... As for interrogating these ¡®suspects¡¯ we caught last night, it¡¯s meaningless, unless we catch that Spiritual Transcendent mastermind.¡± Gu Shen watched the three of them speak in turn... The topic seemed to have been steered in a particular direction. There¡¯s no time to solve the case. Now, the focus is on the evaluation fifteen days from now. ¡°Everyone, don¡¯t be so pessimistic.¡± Nan Jin cheered up her senior Brothers and Sisters, ¡°This is the newcomer whom the teacher spared no effort to save with a special pardon, an S-level potential future hope... Although he seems a bit foolish, don¡¯t we have even this much confidence in him?¡± ¡°I agree; he just looks a tiny bit foolish.¡± Luo Er pressed a switch nonchalantly and said, ¡°There happens to be a practice arena on the second underground level. Let me see for myself how strong this so-called S-grade is.¡± The wall at the end flipped around. A heavy metal door opened. Then their field of vision suddenly expanded. It was hard to imagine that such a vast space akin to a soccer field could be found beneath this building; it was a practice arena prepared specifically for Extraordinaries by the Judgement Institute. The room was filled with shades of greyish white, echoing an air of solemnness and severity. Basic firearms and targets, close combat weapons such as knives and daggers, were all placed on the racks. ¡°I¡¯ve looked over that case file.¡± Luo Er said with a smile, ¡°Indeed... the scene was astonishing. Two Extraordinaries were slaughtered without the slightest chance to fight back, but what¡¯s confusing is, one was sliced to pieces by a blade, and the other was burned to ashes by fire.¡± ¡°Because Extraordinary Powers around the world are still reviving... our Transcendent Genealogy Map is updated and perfected every year, so the Judgement Institute cannot immediately determine if your awakened power belongs to a known Transcendent.¡± ¡°But regardless of the specific power, it can be categorized into one of three broad types... The Spiritual that controls the mind, the Natural that manipulates the elements, and the Aggressive that evolves the physical body.¡± ¡°Given the scene, it¡¯s clear you exhibited two totally different Extraordinary Powers... there are few in the whole East Continent who have managed this, a truly amazing Divine Miracle. If it¡¯s a dual awakening, that indeed justifies the ¡®S¡¯ rating.¡± ¡°Now... let me see your depth.¡± Luo Er looked at Gu Shen, ¡°Use your awakened power to strike at me, and do not hold back.¡± Chapter 21 - 21 20 Senior Female Apprentice ?21: Chapter 20: Senior Female Apprentice 21: Chapter 20: Senior Female Apprentice ¡°Use your awakened power to strike me, and hold nothing back.¡± After Luo Er spoke, she waved her hand, indicating Nan Jin and Zhong Wei should move farther away. Then, she closed her eyes. The girl placed one hand behind her back, and with her other hand, pointed at the center of her forehead. ¡°Come on, strike.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s forehead was slick with sweat... He had not awakened any so-called Extraordinary Power, and although he carried the Truth Ruler with him, it was impossible to use it at that moment; this secret needed to be cautiously preserved. How to strike? There was no way to strike! Nan Jin silently retreated with her sword, standing alongside Zhong Wei, quietly waiting... Gu Shen¡¯s talent was only documented in records, they had never witnessed it personally. Five seconds. Ten seconds. The training ground was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. ¡°...¡± Luo Er slowly opened her eyes, but there was no disappointment in them, calm as a mirror, she lightly said with a smile, ¡°As expected, can¡¯t you do it? You seem different from what those old folks at the Judgement Institute have guessed... If you were to go for the evaluation now, let alone an S, you wouldn¡¯t even get a C-grade.¡± Gu Shen clenched his hands in silence. ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± A hand gently patted his shoulder. Gu Shen¡¯s pupils contracted, he had not even seen how Senior Sister Luo moved, she had appeared beside him in an instant. ¡°Don¡¯t be discouraged. It is quite common to be unable to use Extraordinary Power due to its overuse,¡± Senior Sister Luo chuckled lightly. ¡°Isn¡¯t this just proof... that Zhong Wei and I came to Da Teng for a reason?¡± Gu Shen was taken aback. He looked behind him and saw the other two smiling. Did they all think... it was because of ¡®overuse¡¯ that he couldn¡¯t harness the Extraordinary Power? ¡°Your destiny is in your hands.¡± Luo Er turned and walked towards the weapons rack in the practice field, filled with swords, ¡°The evaluation is in fifteen days, and every hour from now is crucial. The special training... has already begun.¡± She approached the huge rack. Without any movement from Senior Sister Luo, the entire rack suddenly trembled; the sharpened swords and blades, one after another, began to levitate... Keep in mind, these alloy-crafted weapons were very heavy, some weighing dozens of pounds! An untrained adult male would find it difficult to wield them. These dozens of swords and blades, collectively, might weigh nearly a thousand pounds? Luo Er slowly turned around and at the same time, each sword and blade turned its edge, swimming through the air like fish, their blades flickering, emitting a clear tinkling sound. She asked, ¡°Does this scene look familiar?¡± Gu Shen stared at Senior Sister Luo as if he had seen a ghost. At this moment, Luo Er, within a ten-meter radius, was surrounded by blades, much like the scene when he first used the Truth Ruler, trying to emulate Nan Jin¡¯s Sword Domain... How did she replicate it? Was the secret of the Ruler discovered? ¡°I used ¡®Profile¡¯.¡± She smiled slightly, ¡°I went to the site of the fire last night, and what happened there... Through Profile, I reconstructed part of it. I had hoped to directly determine your Extraordinary Ability through ¡®Profile¡¯, but unfortunately, your image in it was too blurry.¡± ¡°My Extraordinary Ability, should be... related to spiritual power.¡± Thank goodness, the Ruler hadn¡¯t been discovered... Gu Shen heaved a sigh of relief internally, pretending to speculate, he slowly said. Chu Ling had mentioned ¡®Profile¡¯... it is a unique power of the Spiritual type, it appears Senior Sister Luo is a Spiritual Transcendent! His use of the Truth Ruler was, in a sense, a manifestation of spiritual power, this kind of explanation should not reveal any flaws. The backlash from using the Ruler was exceptionally swift, Chu Ling said it was related to his insufficient spiritual power... this special training with Senior Sister Luo could really help him. Gu Shen took a deep breath and resignedly revealed his condition, ¡°After the fire, I always felt like my spiritual power was drained... I laid down for two days, but my head is still empty, struggling to concentrate, and often feeling the pain of needle pricks.¡± Luo Er was listening intently, nodding from time to time. ¡°It¡¯s normal. Your spiritual power is too weak... It seems this requires strict training.¡± She waved her hand. Zhong Wei and Nan Jin both moved closer. ¡°Power, speed, spiritual power, control... The Judgement Institute¡¯s evaluation is actually quite simple, assessing newcomers from these four aspects. No matter which of the three sectors you¡¯re in, you can get an objective evaluation within this four-sided scoring system.¡± Suddenly, Luo Er raised both hands, her back to the spacious empty space of the training ground. The suspended group of blade lights and sword shadows suddenly became violent, and rows of knives and swords began to dance without warning. ¡°Rustle rustle rustle¡ª¡± Silver light filled the air like snow! The next moment. The dozens of hovering targets and wooden figures on the training ground were struck by the sweeping swords at vital spots like the bullseye, heart, and forehead... Sharp noises burst forth all at once, piercing the eardrums. ¡°In essence, Extraordinary Power has no hierarchy, just differences in combat intelligence and the degree of development. Newcomers who have just awakened, even if they possess strong origin power within, cannot perfectly control it.¡± Luo Er said, ¡°Power corresponds to might. Speed corresponds to dodging. Spiritual power determines how long you can wield Extraordinary Power. And control represents precision and distance.¡± ¡°Possessing strong origin power but failing to hit your target, even if you go all out, can only result in a fleeting bloom. Such Transcendents... It¡¯s hard to consider them truly strong.¡± A bead of sweat formed on Gu Shen¡¯s forehead, slowly sliding down, eventually dropping onto the surface of a dagger blade close by. ¡°Ding.¡± A ring of crisp, thin ripples. That dagger, manipulated by spiritual power, hovered in front of his own cheek, its unseen edge nearly piercing through the cheek, seeping into the marrow. This was... truly monstrous. To simultaneously control dozens of blades¡ªwhat immense spiritual power was this? This was no intangible Sword Intent, weightless... Moreover, unlike the frenzied slaughter aimed at the same target on his own roof... Each sword Senior Sister Luo controlled precisely stabbed into the targets, and the most terrifying thing was, she did not use sight to aid her aim at all! This was clearly a usage of Spiritual Extraordinary powers, allowing her to perceive the world behind her, even sharper than an eagle¡¯s ¡°gaze.¡± Gu Shen took a deep breath, and with difficulty, he extended two fingers, moving away the dagger now suspended right in front of him. This dagger was only about a centimeter from piercing his skin. Gu Shen knew that just a tremble of his hand would cause the blade to draw blood. He did not feel fear, but rather... amazement. This time when Gu Shen looked at Luo Er, it seemed to him that he saw the immensely powerful soul housed within her seemingly frail body. Like a mountain, like an abyss. The recent lecture about strength was somewhat hollow and powerless. But when Luo Er spoke it. It was so right, so accurate... because she was, undisputably, a strong person. With a ¡°buzz¡±. The dagger slowly floated up into Luo Er¡¯s palm. ¡°Want to learn?¡± ¡°Call me Senior Sister...¡± she said with a smile: ¡°I¡¯ll teach you.¡± ¡°...Senior Sister!¡± Gu Shen nodded vigorously, ¡°From today on, you are my dear Senior Sister!¡± Chapter 22 - 22 21 Awakening of Insects ?22: Chapter 21: Awakening of Insects 22: Chapter 21: Awakening of Insects ¡°Transcendents... appeared a long time ago. To maintain order, the council chose to conceal the truth from the public, but as times changed, concealment became more and more difficult.¡± ¡°After ¡®Deep Sea¡¯ connected the world, Da Teng City officially established the Judgement Institute, and the authorities began to gather unaffiliated Transcendents... Due to authority reasons, I won¡¯t go into detail on this part.¡± ¡°Sister???¡± ¡°There are some things you¡¯re better off not knowing for now. You just need to understand that the Judgement Institute has only two responsibilities: one is to imprison ¡®Extraordinary Uncontrolled,¡¯ and the other is to collect ¡®Extraordinary Sealed Objects.''¡± Senior Sister Luo extended a hand. Above her palm swirled invisible currents, transforming into dissipating air, repeating the process with a sound as soothing as that of tearing paper. ¡°Up to the present stage, we still cannot explain what Extraordinary Power is... Nature has its irrefutable laws and rules, while it is a force of ¡®disruption,¡¯ ¡®disregard,¡¯ and ¡®transgression.''¡± ¡°Because of the existence of this power, many truths are no longer true.¡± ¡°Like... a broken mirror cannot be made whole again.¡± Senior Sister Luo looked to the side. ¡°Crash¡ª¡± A large glass mirror at the end of the training field shattered instantaneously, spilling like quicksilver, and as the sister¡¯s words finished, thousands of fragments reversed their flow and neatly restored the gigantic mirror. ¡°Or like... spilled water cannot be regained.¡± A water pipe suddenly burst, and water sprayed from the ground like a fountain. In the next moment. Time seemed to reverse; water droplets scattered everywhere converged into a column of water, inch by inch compressing, until the burst pipe was as good as new, swallowing all the splashed droplets, and all that remained was the quiet yet tumultuous sound of the water underground. A Divine Miracle. It was a supernatural phenomenon beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. And the progenitor of it all merely moved a finger, spoke a few words, nonchalantly, as if during a tea break. All this occurred. And yet, it was as if nothing had happened. ¡°According to current data, anyone, at any age, could experience an ¡®Extraordinary Awakening,¡¯ and Awakeners will gain immense power, but at the same time, they will face the risk of becoming ¡®out-of-control¡¯... This is also the greatest danger you will face in this evaluation,¡± said Senior Sister Luo after a pause, ¡°Due to the fire incident, your danger rating is extremely high; the council will not permit a monster like you to exist, with the potential to become out-of-control.¡± Out-of-control... Gu Shen suddenly thought of his initial encounter. A-009 was an out-of-control, according to Mr. Shu¡¯s information, many years ago, she had been a normal employee of the Ancient Literature Society. Was it because of contact with A-009, coupled with the fire incident, that he was thought to be very likely to become out-of-control? ¡°The first lesson you need to learn is control.¡± Control Extraordinary Power?! He was just an ordinary person, how could he control a power that didn¡¯t exist at all! Hearing this, Gu Shen became deeply worried... The Judgement Institute did not know that his Extraordinary Awakening had actually been caused by the Truth Ruler, which according to Senior Sister Luo¡¯s earlier statement, should be one of the Extraordinary Sealed Objects. The Judgement Institute was responsible for detaining out-of-controls and containing Sealed Objects... presumably out of concern for the destruction that either could wreak if left adrift. If the Truth Ruler fell into the wrong hands, it could very likely concoct a great disaster. ¡°Mr. Gu Changzhi, the highest-seat of the council, once said that the relationship between spirit and flesh is the fundamental aspect of all Cultivation. They are like water and bowl; if one grows stronger, the other must concurrently keep pace¡ªboth are indispensable. Those out-of-controls collapsed due to an imbalance between the two; to eradicate the problem fundamentally... one needs to start with the flesh.¡± Gu Changzhi... a name that still resonates loudly to this day. He was a hero many East Continent people respected and worshipped twenty years ago, famous far and wide at a young age, meritorious and distinguished, though he hadn¡¯t made an appearance in a long time. Gu Shen asked, ¡°Does he have something to do with the Judgement Institute?¡± ¡°Of course. The establishment of the Judgement Institute was greatly related to Mr. Gu Changzhi,¡± Senior Sister Luo said softly: ¡°The teacher received a lot of support from him, and there¡¯s something very important... something that can help you control Extraordinary Power.¡± She seemed to be considering how to describe it. The word ¡®thing¡¯ wasn¡¯t quite accurate. But no other word could describe it more aptly. ¡°Is it... a Sealed Object?¡± Gu Shen was curious. ¡°No.¡± Senior Sister Luo shook her head. ¡°You¡¯ll understand once you see it.¡± She reached out a finger, touching Gu Shen¡¯s forehead. Buzz¡ª¡ª The entire training ground fell silent in an instant. The sound of the wind, the water, and the trembling wings of flying insects were infinitely amplified. The whole world was caught between the contradictory extremes of utter silence and overwhelming noise, while Gu Shen felt an overwhelming drowsiness assail him. In an instant, his eyelids felt as if they were filled with lead, weighed down by thousands of pounds, and he felt himself plummet downwards, yet he landed on a soft, pillowy cloud. Was this hypnosis? He couldn¡¯t just fall asleep like this! In the blink of an eye, Gu Shen struggled, trying to keep himself awake. But... it was in vain. The force pulling him down into the dream was too powerful to resist. ... ... ¡°In the dream.¡± At the critical moment, Nan Jin extended a hand, steadying the youth who was plummeting straight toward the ground, and helped him to a chair at the edge of the training area. Gu Shen, with his head lowered, sank into a deep sleep, his breaths long and deep. ¡°It¡¯s really not simple; he actually struggled for a moment.¡± Senior Sister Luo laughed, ¡°Looks like the kid has some secrets, but... I¡¯m not interested in his little secret.¡± ¡°Remember, when I first joined the Judgement Institute, I only received an A-level evaluation.¡± Luo Er fell into reminiscence, chuckling softly, ¡°As a consolation, the teacher showed me ¡®Jingzhe,¡¯ and I actually slept through that dream for a full eight hours... The fastest person that year only took two and a half hours.¡± ¡°Senior Sister...¡± ¡°You speak of Han Dang, right? He¡¯s not comparable to you¡ª¡± Zhong Wei said with a grave tone, ¡°In that dream, not only did you finish ¡®Jingzhe,¡¯ but you also completely reproduced it. To this day, no one else in the Judgement Institute has managed to do that.¡± The ¡®Jingzhe¡¯ spiritual dream, carrying its contents, was indescribable with words or replicable by technical means. To comprehend it, one could only rely on the original rubbings left by Mr. Gu Changzhi in the Judgement Institute, and requesting to view them required a certain level of access, qualifications, and contributions. But there are always exceptions. ¡°So... Our ¡®Jingzhe¡¯ was taught to us through Dream Casting by Senior Sister, without the teacher ever using the original rubbings of the Judgement Institute again.¡± Nan Jin showed a look of realization. Senior Sister had even completely replicated the Jingzhe dream. She furrowed her brows, ¡°Han Dang... that name sounds familiar, as if I¡¯ve heard it somewhere.¡± ¡°Zhu Wang¡¯s proud disciple, known as the ¡®Smiling Tiger,¡¯ of capricious nature, given to unpredictable moods. His teacher, Zhu Wang, is always coveting the position of Grand Judge,¡± Zhong Wei said irritably, ¡°The impeachment meeting against our teacher was initiated by them. Only if the teacher steps down can Zhu Wang take his place. Because of the use of the special amnesty order, they¡¯ve got a handle on us... If all goes as expected, they will be very tight on checking Gu Shen.¡± Nan Jin pondered thoughtfully. In terms of qualifications, reputation, and power, Zhu Wang was one of the few significant figures in the Judgement Institute who could confront the teacher head-on, but the two had always been at odds and never met or cooperated, and their disciples also subtly exhibited a stance of confrontation. The lineage of Mr. Shu had Senior Sister Luo as its figurehead. And leading Zhu Wang¡¯s lineage was Han Dang. ¡°Last night¡¯s online meeting was intense.¡± ¡°The matter of Gu Shen has attracted too much attention. There are those full of malicious intent who are just itching for an opportunity,¡± Zhong Wei sighed, ¡°Last night¡¯s meeting decided that Gu Shen would undergo an evaluation in Da Teng City. I don¡¯t know if Han Dang will cause trouble.¡± ¡°When troops come, a general will resist; when the flood comes, the earth will cover.¡± Senior Sister Luo waved her hand, saying, ¡°Han Dang counts for little. Better not tell Gu Shen about him, so he doesn¡¯t feel too much pressure.¡± ¡°Mmm...¡± Both nodded in agreement. ¡°Right,¡± Nan Jin asked curiously, ¡°How long did senior brother take to finish ¡®Jingzhe¡¯?¡± ¡°Four hours and nine minutes, ten minutes slower than you,¡± Zhong Wei said with a smile, ¡°Those in the Judgement Institute who are qualified to read ¡®Jingzhe¡¯ can all be considered geniuses. For Spiritual Extraordinaries, as long as they can finish reading within twelve hours and emerge from the dream, it¡¯s a success.¡± ¡°For you, four hours is already a very good result.¡± Senior Sister Luo seemed lost in memory, and she let out a light sigh, ¡°Later, I learned that the reading duration of ¡®Jingzhe¡¯ is related to spiritual potential. The reading of ¡®Jingzhe¡¯ was also a test then; if it could be completed within two hours, the teacher would let the Judgement Institute add an S-level evaluation... If I hadn¡¯t chosen to reproduce it, I would have finished already.¡± ¡°In my heart, Senior Sister has always been a powerhouse comparable to S-level,¡± Zhong Wei said with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m not flattering you, I mean it!¡± ¡°S or not S... these evaluations are no longer important now.¡± Luo Er smiled and looked towards the youth slumped on the bench, asking, ¡°What do you think, after reading ¡®Jingzhe¡¯... how long will Gu Shen need?¡± Chapter 23 - 23 22 Dream ?23: Chapter 22 Dream 23: Chapter 22 Dream Falling. Falling again. Falling endlessly. ¡°Bang¡ª¡ª¡± Startled awake. Gu Shen opened his eyes and found himself standing atop a vast and boundless wilderness, with blades of grass swaying in the wind, the sky pushed low by dark clouds, thunder murmuring hidden within the leaden cloud layers, silent and desolate, like the quiet before an impending apocalypse. This place is... Memories emerged, halted at that final point where Senior Sister Luo had gestured towards him. ¡°This is a Dream crafted by a Spiritual Transcendent,¡± a familiar voice rang out. Gu Shen turned his head in astonishment, seeing the much-longed-for white dress, its hem lifted by the wind, revealing the girl¡¯s tender, pink legs. Seeing Gu Shen¡¯s astonished expression. Chu Ling brushed a lock of hair from her temples, smiling as she asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, you weren¡¯t hoping to see me?¡± ¡°No, no, how could that be?!¡± Gu Shen quickly waved his hands, carefully choosing his words, he slowly said, ¡°I just never thought... that I¡¯d meet you here.¡± He felt a tinge of sadness. If this was a Dream imposed on him by Luo Er, then was everything he was experiencing now merely his own imagination? ¡°Though this is a Dream, everything that happens will become your real memories,¡± Chu Ling said seriously, ¡°Reality and illusion are two worlds with blurred boundaries, the Spiritual Consciousness that controls our flesh cannot paint a precise entity, shape... yet it truly exists. And in such Dreams, Spiritual Consciousness can manifest in tangible forms.¡± Gu Shen was reminded once again of his first encounter with Chu Ling. That ¡°001¡± train... was that also a Dream? ¡°As for why I appear here... the specifics are not yet meant to be explained,¡± Chu Ling softly said, ¡°Gu Shen, you only need to remember, even without Deep Sea, I can form a ¡®Spiritual Link¡¯ with you. So...¡± ¡°Whenever you need me, I will appear.¡± She looked towards Gu Shen, ¡°Definitely.¡± Gu Shen stared at the girl, in this world transformed by the Dream, everything was so vast, an endless wilderness beyond sight, a sea of leaves that could engulf the youth, dark clouds looming so low they seemed almost about to collapse. In this world. One person is so insignificant, and so alone. But with someone else by your side, you are no longer insignificant, nor alone. ¡°Hiss...¡± Gu Shen felt a headache coming, he said in a low voice, ¡°I remember now, the reason I came here is because Senior Sister Luo wanted to show me something... what is that ¡®thing¡¯?¡± To that question. Chu Ling just smiled and did not reply. Gu Shen realized, the answer to this question... he had to uncover it himself. He reached out to grab a piece of swirling grass, everything here felt so real, the leaves even had residual ice and frost upon them, as if not fully thawed yet. Crushing it firmly. The ice and frost crumbled into water. More and more blades of grass took flight, some shedding their snowy shrouds, some unfurling tender green shoots. The world, once grey and desolate to the eye, started to turn vibrant under the canopy of thunder, like a painting slowly being filled with color. In an era torn by electronic torrents, one seldom saw such scenery; the steel jungles were replete with cold, rough monsters of skyscrapers. A sprout of new grass would be quickly bent and broken, a fresh patch of land swiftly excavated... and even untouched wastelands rarely revealed expanses of open fields. As the painting stretched out, desolation and ruin were swept away. The rolling thunder grew more intense as though an invisible tide pushed forward from afar¡ª Gu Shen seemed to see all living things reviving; the winter¡¯s end shattered, spring arriving, countless grass blades sweeping in, the snow and frost shaken and shattered. He subconsciously adjusted his breathing. All sounds became clear, including his own breathing... Time, too, seemed to slow down at that moment. An invisible force guided Gu Shen to sit down, turning into a tiny blade of spring grass on the wilderness. The moment he sat, his hair iced over with a thin layer of frost, but it was quickly dispersed by the wind¡ª Many grass blades were stirred into the air. Yet he remained unshaken. At that moment, it seemed that many words infused his mind, as if a series of continuous virtual images, shattered lines, painted colors¡ª Accompanied by a boom from the dome of the sky. The spring thunder sounded. Information exploded in his mind. The light continuous rain fell, not heavily, but enough to cover the entire wilderness; the falling raindrops did not make one feel cold... on the contrary, they brought a feeling of warmth. It was a spring rain, carrying the whole world away from the cold winter. The grass blades fell, landing on Gu Shen¡¯s eyebrows, shoulders, hair strands. The youth forgot everything, his breath steady as a rock, in this Dream, Gu Shen seemed to enter into an even deeper Dream, his spiritual power was slowly increasing, with each second that passed, he felt more grounded, more at peace. The girl in the white dress sat beside him, smiling and keeping him company, watching in silence. Countless grass blades whistled past, beaten down by the rain, yet when they fell near Chu Ling, they turned into broken digits, adding to this perfect real world a small patch that couldn¡¯t be touched or felt¡ªa slice of illusion because of the girl¡¯s presence. ... ... Who knows how much time had passed. Gu Shen slowly opened his eyes, feeling his own transformation. He felt as though he had slept a long and deep sleep. This world of Dreams, on the contrary, seemed as real as ever. Chapter 24 - 24 22 Dream_2 ?24: Chapter 22 Dream_2 24: Chapter 22 Dream_2 Because he had used the Truth Ruler, the fatigue from the insufficient rest of the previous night was now completely swept away, and Gu Shen¡¯s heart was filled with a positive emotion similar to ¡°revival in spring.¡± He finally understood what Senior Sister Luo had spoken about¡ªthe thing that could help him control the Extraordinary Power. This Dream was more like a lesson. There was no better way to teach than being immersed in it... This entire Dream World, from the grass detritus to the startling thunder, all creatures were teaching him... how to breathe. It was a breathing technique that could only be comprehended and not conveyed through words. ¡°It¡¯s too incredible.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s eyes became brighter and shone brilliantly as he looked at Chu Ling with deep gratitude. During his deep sleep, Gu Shen could feel that someone had always been by his side. ¡°This is the ¡®Jingzhe¡¯ that Gu Changzhi left to the Judgement Institute,¡± Chu Ling said softly, ¡°You probably wouldn¡¯t find a more suitable breathing technique for beginners in all five continents than ¡®Jingzhe.¡¯ As long as you master this breathing technique and frequently refine your spirit, you can significantly reduce the probability of losing control.¡± ¡°Jingzhe...¡± Gu Shen clenched his fist; he felt he harbored a massive power within him. His spirit now felt extraordinarily full and rich, as if he had an endless amount of energy. Inside his spine, it felt as though there was a line of thunder hidden. Just like the word Jingzhe! ¡°The only downside is that comprehending ¡®Jingzhe¡¯ is incredibly, incredibly, incredibly... difficult.¡± Chu Ling had used the word incredibly three times and looked at Gu Shen with a complex expression, saying, ¡°The vast majority of people, even if they have the chance to come to this Dream World, won¡¯t experience a hint of resonance or enlightenment.¡± Gu Shen looked down at the grass detritus in his palm. Is it that hard? But his enlightenment seemed to have encountered no difficulties... Everything had gone so smoothly that even describing it as plain sailing wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration. ¡°Did you choose ¡®Spiritual Link¡¯ because you were afraid I¡¯d run into trouble?¡± Gu Shen smiled, ¡°Sorry to disappoint you.¡± Chu Ling was noncommittal, ¡°Yes, but not entirely.¡± ¡°If I hadn¡¯t entered this Dream World... after you had comprehended ¡®Jingzhe,¡¯ this Dream would have ended.¡± Chu Ling lifted her head to the world¡¯s end after the spring rain had ended; the distant clouds were clearing, the clouds fractured, and the horizon at the edge of her vision began to move in. This Dream World was already beginning to collapse, but in the heavens above, blurry symbols and codes descended, so the collapse of the Jingzhe Dream was drastically slowed down. ¡°You can¡¯t leave yet.¡± Gu Shen was taken aback. ¡°Only fifteen minutes have passed in the real world.¡± Chu Ling simply explained, ¡°The fastest comprehension record in the history of the Judgement Institute is one hour and forty-five minutes. If you go out now... no matter how much Zhou Jiren tries to protect you, those people at the Judgement Institute would probably suggest dissecting you for research.¡± ¡°... Fifteen minutes?!¡± Gu Shen was astonished; if someone told him that fifteen hours had passed in the Jingzhe Dream, he would have believed them. Only fifteen minutes had passed in the real world. Gu Shen understood what Chu Ling meant. In many games, the record for first place is always being broken. If you beat the previous first-place by a small margin, the record breaker is respected as the new champion. But if the time is several times, dozens of times faster... then people might assume that person is a disgraceful cheater. ¡°The Jingzhe World is about to collapse.¡± Gu Shen saw the collapse at the far horizon; he really didn¡¯t want to leave now and, feeling like crying but having no tears, said, ¡°How much longer can we hold on? You should have told me earlier; I could have taken a nap here before comprehending.¡± ¡°Many things in the Dream World are not under the control of your own consciousness.¡± Chu Ling smiled, ¡°Your subconscious decides the outcome of the Dream. If you chose to sleep, you might complete your enlightenment in the next level of the Dream. This is why many people exhaust their minds trying to comprehend ¡®Jingzhe,¡¯ try all sorts of methods, and still fail in the end.¡± ¡°The good news is... with my delaying, the collapse of this world has slowed down. We will still set a new record, but only a little faster than the first place.¡± Chu Ling held up a finger, revealing a rare playful smile, ¡°Just a little bit.¡± ¡°Just a little bit?¡± ¡°Faster than the original first place by just a little bit?¡± Gu Shen sighed deeply, earnestly asking, ¡°Chu Ling, with your vast capabilities, can you avoid making me the first place? I am better at lurking behind; it really gives me a sense of security.¡± The girl slightly tilted her head, her eyes filled with confusion. She couldn¡¯t quite understand why Gu Shen wanted to be the last in line. Everyone wanted to be first, to be the record-setter, shining brightly and catching everyone¡¯s eye. ¡°I always wanted to be just an ordinary person...¡± ¡°I never wanted to shine brightly or catch anyone¡¯s eye...¡± Gu Shen took a deep breath, his slow speech gradually speeding up, ¡°Once you¡¯re first, people suddenly have expectations for you for no reason, you have to keep running, faster and faster, and you can never stop. Mr. Shu saved me with a pardon, my senior brothers and sisters came all the way to teach me, they got me a new house and gave me a lot of money, I now feel like I¡¯ll disappoint them if I don¡¯t get an ¡®S¡¯ grade. But... Chu Ling, do you know, they don¡¯t realize that I don¡¯t have that so-called ¡®Extraordinary Ability¡¯!¡± Chu Ling stared blankly at the boy. After the spring rain, grass clippings and water droplets clung to the sides of Gu Shen¡¯s cheeks, his eyes, clear as ponds, showed three parts struggle and seven parts pain. Actually, he didn¡¯t not want to be first. He was afraid of letting down those who had treated him well. Gu Shen just felt that everything was happening too quickly and it was absurd, in fifteen days, the Judgement Institute¡¯s review would take place, where his ¡°Extraordinary Ability¡± would be graded... but who could imagine that he had no Extraordinary Ability at all! What use was special training? What use was delving into the ¡°Jingzhe¡±? Even if he exerted his utmost effort, it was destined that all efforts would amount to nothing. ¡°Who says that.¡± At the collapsing end of the world. A gentle voice sounded. ¡°Who says you have no Extraordinary Ability...¡± Chu Ling shook her head, her face serious and her voice sincere, spreading with the rain, enveloping the surroundings, bringing a sense of peace. ¡°You just haven¡¯t awakened yet.¡± The world was crumbling slowly. Gu Shen no longer looked at the grass clippings, the rainwater, or the broken clouds; the scenery in his eyes wasn¡¯t important anymore, all that mattered was this girl. In Chu Ling¡¯s eyes, he saw something different from what others saw. It wasn¡¯t expectation, nor was it encouragement, or comfort. It was a definitive declaration, a prophecy that would surely come true. ¡°Gu Shen, you have to believe in yourself... You are worthy of an ¡®S¡¯ grade!¡± ... ... The concept of time in the Dream World cannot be understood. The time for comprehension seemed so slow. Yet the time for collapse was so fast. Nothing particular happened, yet the end of the world was already visible, the horizon collapsing, replaced by countless blocks of blurred code. Chu Ling stood in the darkness, smiling as she spoke. ¡°Since you don¡¯t want to be the one who sets records, then I¡¯ll happily walk behind you. The road is still very long, very long...¡± This time, it was the girl who reached out her hand, wanting to touch the boy. This time, still not truly touching¡ª Chaos code flew around. Darkness enveloped. Dream, shattered. Chapter 25 - 25 23 Achievements of Comprehension ?25: Chapter 23 Achievements of Comprehension 25: Chapter 23 Achievements of Comprehension ¡°Sister Nan Jin, did you pass the Deep Sea Sixth Layer test?¡± ¡°Thank you for your concern, Brother. I haven¡¯t passed yet... but after clashing with A-009, I vaguely perceived the presence of ¡®origin.¡¯ I shouldn¡¯t be far from a breakthrough.¡± ¡°It¡¯s normal for the strong attack type Transcendents to advance slower. Take it step by step, no need to rush. Take your time and be steady.¡± ¡°...¡± Luo Er, Zhong Wei, and Nan Jin chatted leisurely for a long time. Gu Shen¡¯s consciousness had entered the Jingzhe Dream, which clearly meant there would be a ¡°long¡± period of leisure time; this time was perfect for exchanging insights on Extraordinary Cultivation. ¡°Sister Nan Jin,¡± Luo Er asked with a smile, ¡°I heard from the teacher that you withstood A-009¡¯s attack?¡± ¡°The situation is complicated, and it¡¯s hard to explain in a few words.¡± Nan Jin shook her head, ¡°Actually, I didn¡¯t really withstand it... If A-009 had continued going berserk, I would have been dead at that time.¡± At the critical moment, A-009 stopped its attack. She looked at the sleeping young man on the bench, her gaze complex... She had intended to rescue Gu Shen, but when it came down to it, it was Gu Shen who saved her. ¡°If I remember correctly, the last time we met was in the Dadu District. Back then, you weren¡¯t as tall as me, clutching a sword and squatting in a corner, stubborn as grass poking through a crack... And now, you¡¯ve become someone who can stand on your own.¡± Senior Sister Luo gestured, quite nostalgic. ¡°Strike at me with your sword.¡± Then, she tucked her hands behind her back and continued, ¡°Let me see how much you¡¯ve improved over the years.¡± ¡°Sister...¡± A spark of excitement flickered in Nan Jin¡¯s heart. This was an excellent opportunity. Senior Sister Luo was very powerful; apart from their teacher, there was no one else better suited to be her sparring partner! ¡°Alright.¡± She didn¡¯t hesitate and immediately drew her long sword from its sheath. After the battle with A-009, she had always felt that she was missing something... and now was the perfect time to hone her skills! With a ¡°hum,¡± at that moment, the wind in the training area started to Reverse Flow. The fierce Sword Gang flowed like water from the engraved lines of the long sword, thousands of silver threads suspended mid-air and then began to swirl into a vortex. In the silent training area, an invisible pressure slowly descended¡ª Zhong Wei chuckled and stepped back, sitting next to Gu Shen on the bench, calmly watching the scene unfold. Above their heads, millions of threads of pressure cascading down with the Sword Force only to hit the bench and instantly dissipate, easily resolved. Senior Sister Luo¡¯s ponytail fluttered in the wind. She stood unassumingly in place, watching the Sword Domain Nan Jin was deploying, slowly frowning... Why did this Sword Domain feel so familiar? That¡¯s right. She remembered, the scenes from the rooftop side were strikingly similar to the present. The method used by Gu Shen during his Extraordinary Awakening to counterattack the strong attack type Transcendent was identical to Nan Jin¡¯s Sword Domain. ¡°Is it a coincidence?¡± She didn¡¯t have time to ponder. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of swords clashing¡ª Luo Er looked up as the overwhelming silver Sword Gang surged toward her like a raging sea, almost completely submerging her. The entire underground training field was swept by the Sword Gang; the iron walls and massive glass mirrors all shattered, peeled off by the waves like brittle shells, forming a Sword Qi Tornado. In the midst of this violent and fierce tornado, only one bench remained undamaged. Zhong Wei propped his cheek, admiring the spectacle, his gaze filled with both appreciation and regret. Nan Jin¡¯s eyes blazed with battle intent, raising the war sword high, her feminine form yet like a god wielding the power to split mountains. Countless threads of silver converged into a single line, and slowly descended toward Senior Sister Luo¡ª This move was incredibly powerful. But it was much too slow; if it were a battle on the surface, the opponent could easily escape. But now, they were underground, and moreover... her opponent was Senior Sister Luo. Luo Er wouldn¡¯t dodge, nor did she want to. Since she had let Nan Jin strike, she was absolutely confident she could withstand this attack. As that vast sword light fell, Senior Sister Luo still hadn¡¯t moved a step, she simply watched the intense, blazing sword light, seeing every inch of its inner structure clearly... and then, she raised a hand. At that moment, time seemed to slow down. The scraps of metal tumbling on the outskirts of the Sword Qi Tornado, following Senior Sister Luo¡¯s fingers¡¯ grasp, transformed into mechanical arms. As one opened mountains, she split the seas. ¡°Boom¡ª¡± After Senior Sister Luo took action. The innumerable, raging Sword Gang drifting in the air dissipated rapidly. With every inch they cut down, Nan Jin could feel her willpower and physical strength being consumed at an incredible speed. Her hands gripping the sword, she assumed her stance; the windbreaker around her swung open by the blasting airflow, almost parallel to the ground, her growls drowned out by the void¡¯s sword cries. The sword¡¯s engravings shined unprecedently bright while she faced off against ¡°Senior Sister Luo,¡± feeling more pressure than from A-009. The sword was just a bit away from striking the Sister... But Nan Jin exerted all her strength and still could not complete the final ¡°resistance slash.¡± In the end, not even pressing down an extra centimeter seemed like a luxury. Missing by a hair¡¯s breadth was like being worlds apart. ¡°Crack!¡± The silver sword let out a crisp sound, showing a crack, yet it was still unable to advance an inch. Just a little more. Just a little more... Not a shred of the thought to give up crossed Nan Jin¡¯s mind. The last bit of distance! Break it! Shatter it! Right before her strength was exhausted, the silver sword finally broke through, slashing with finality. ... ... ¡°Drip.¡± A drop of sweat fell to the ground, splashing into glittering fragments. Nan Jin gazed at the sweat rolling down her cheeks and at the shattered sword fragments scattered about, feeling greatly satisfied. Her slash... had been delivered. Although Senior Sister Luo remained unharmed, still calm and composed, her current standing position was different from before. The observant would notice that Senior Sister Luo had subtly shifted to the side, while the place where she originally stood was carved out with a depression by a strand of sharp Sword Gang. Chunks of broken metal, controlled by stable and powerful spiritual power, were put back together, smoothing back onto the training room¡¯s inner walls as easily as if they were pieces of paper being flattened by fingertips. ¡°You¡¯re stronger than I expected. Breaking through the Deep Sea Sixth Layer is just a matter of time.¡± Luo Er raised her hand and the shattered blade flew into her palm, coming together to form a complete, solid battle sword. Everything returned to normal. ¡°This move, is it what you conceived during your fight with A-009? Not bad, it¡¯s very lethal,¡± she said as she came up to Nan Jin, handing over the sword, ¡°but you still lack control in the subtleties... If you could perfectly control every strand of Sword Intent, then this slash could have injured me.¡± ... Nan Jin silently took note of her senior sister¡¯s guidance. ¡°Perfectly controlling every strand of Sword Intent is indeed too demanding.¡± Zhong Wei stood up and spoke earnestly, ¡°Junior sister, your slash already carries the essence of ¡®origin¡¯. There shouldn¡¯t be many of your peers who can achieve this. Don¡¯t be too hard on yourself.¡± Catching the long sword with both hands, Nan Jin felt a slight change in weight; the tip seemed to be missing a piece. She blinked in surprise. The entire training room had been restored by Senior Sister Luo¡¯s spiritual power, except the hole where she originally stood still remained, with a segment of the sword blade embedded there. ¡°Let¡¯s leave the tip of this sword here as a memento. You should know that there are only a handful of people in the entire Judgement Institute who could have injured me.¡± Luo Er tiptoed, patted Nan Jin on the shoulder, and seriously praised, ¡°The fact that you¡¯ve come this far is already quite remarkable. Zhong Wei is right, don¡¯t be too hard on yourself; sometimes, taking a break is also a form of cultivation.¡± Nan Jin recalled the teacher¡¯s message. In recent years, Nan Jin had been cultivating very hard, and wanting to become stronger wasn¡¯t wrong, but everything had a process, and it was only natural to progress step by step. Those who shine bright from the start often burn out their life force too quickly. ¡°Thank you...¡± Nan Jin just shook her head without saying much more, neither accepting nor rejecting the advice. ¡°Time flies; it¡¯s already been over four hours.¡± Zhong Wei stroked his chin, muttering, ¡°Gu Shen still hasn¡¯t woken up...¡± According to Senior Sister¡¯s profiling, Gu Shen was confirmed to be a Spiritual Transcendent. Over four hours of contemplating the Jingzhe Breathing Technique wasn¡¯t long at all. The Judgement Institute had seen geniuses who took seven or eight hours to figure it out. But for an S-rank Transcendent, taking over four hours to comprehend ¡°Jingzhe¡±... wasn¡¯t quite up to snuff. As a Dream Caster, Luo Er could still sense some movements within the Dream World... She released her spiritual power to probe and discovered that Gu Shen was exceptionally relaxed at the moment, nothing like someone who was in deep contemplation of Jingzhe. ¡°This kid... sounds like he¡¯s snoring?¡± Zhong Wei was a bit taken aback. Then, that soothing spiritual power began to gather slowly, a sign of awakening. ¡°Four hours... thirty-nine minutes...¡± He glanced at the time. ¡°For an ¡®S-rank¡¯ Spiritual Transcendent... seems a bit slow?¡± ¡°No matter, as long as he has comprehended it, it¡¯s good. I myself took eight hours back then,¡± Luo Er raised an eyebrow, ¡°Gu Shen has a long way to go.¡± Chapter 26 - 26 24 The Lurker in the Shadows ?26: Chapter 24: The Lurker in the Shadows 26: Chapter 24: The Lurker in the Shadows ¡°Ah...¡± ¡°Achoo!¡± With a sneeze, Gu Shen suddenly woke up. The last of his memories were of a dense darkness, a boundless mess of code, and a vague black shadow... The Jingzhe Dream hadn¡¯t completely collapsed yet, and Chu Ling had severed their Spiritual Link, followed by his own plunge into deep sleep. And upon waking up. The first thing he saw was a face that, despite being obscured by sunglasses covering most of its features, remained breathtakingly attractive. Yet, the owner of that handsome face was now full of disdain, holding a knife, grasping the corner of a trench coat, swiftly retreating as if eager to get as far away from him as possible. Was that necessary, just for a sneeze... Gu Shen silently flipped the finger at the mean woman in his heart. ¡°Gu Shen, you¡¯re awake.¡± Hearing Senior Sister Luo¡¯s voice, Gu Shen fully came to his senses. There was no concept of time in the Dream World. How long had he spent, from entering the dream to comprehend the ¡°Jingzhe¡± until waking up now? Had he really broken the fastest record of the Judgement Institute... ¡°Senior Sister.¡± Gu Shen scratched his head, ¡°How long... have I slept?¡± ¡°Not long, just four hours,¡± Senior Sister Luo mentioned casually. Gu Shen breathed a sigh of relief. That¡¯s alright then. It wasn¡¯t just fifteen minutes, after all. ¡°Xiao Gu.¡± Brother Zhong Wei approached, asking with concern, ¡°What did you see in that dream just now?¡± Xiao Gu... It had been a long time since anyone had called him that. Gu Shen didn¡¯t mind and thought for a moment before honestly replying, ¡°I dreamed of... a vast, vast wilderness. The scenery was beautiful, with endless grass, and then... a rain fell.¡± He still needed to play the fool a little. This was something Gu Shen excelled at. He vividly related the scene of the Jingzhe Dream and then ambiguously glossed over the details of his comprehension, pretending to be naive and stumbling into enlightenment by accident. After finishing his account, Gu Shen showed his results: ¡°Senior Sister... In that dream, I seem to have grasped something extraordinary¡ª¡± The breathing method of Jingzhe was deeply etched in his heart. With that said, Gu Shen breathed according to the rhythm in his mind, and instantly, his whole presence became subdued, his eyes sparkling. He could distinctly feel his spiritual power solidifying. And he could faintly sense a warm, clear current slowly flowing at the back of his head. ¡°Hmm... Not bad.¡± Senior Sister Luo nodded, ¡°That is the ¡®thing¡¯ I wanted to give you, this breathing method is called Jingzhe. Remember, in the upcoming special training period, you need to make this breathing method your instinct. No matter what you¡¯re doing, eating, sleeping, always maintain the Jingzhe breath.¡± So that was it. Gu Shen nodded inwardly, if he replaced his regular breathing with the Jingzhe breathing, not only would his meager spiritual power become more stable, but it would also grow stronger day by day. He couldn¡¯t help being impressed by Gu Changzhi¡¯s genius for creating this breathing method all by himself! A gentle pat came down on his shoulder. Senior Sister Luo rarely showed such tenderness, saying, ¡°Since you have understood Jingzhe, it means you do have talent. Don¡¯t be too hard on yourself... The time it takes to comprehend a mere breathing method doesn¡¯t represent anything.¡± Gu Shen was taken aback. Was Senior Sister Luo... comforting him? She was worried about the upcoming evaluation and the great pressure he might face. Or did it mean... the time he took to comprehend was a bit long? He heard from Brother Zhong Wei that it was the impact of the Transcendent event in the early years that caused Senior Sister Luo¡¯s temperament to become capricious. Only then did he discover that Senior Sister Luo¡¯s smile was actually quite cute. ¡°Alright.¡± The smile faded from Luo Er¡¯s face as she spoke seriously, ¡°The tasks ahead are still heavy. We don¡¯t have time to waste.¡± ... ... ¡°Rumble rumble rumble¡ª¡± Above the unfinished tube building strictly protected by the warning lines, the low roar of helicopter blades resounded. The guards all looked up and saw an incredible scene. At a distance of about ten meters from the ground, a man dressed in a gray-black suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with a refined appearance, was holding a briefcase in one hand while violently opening the cabin door with the other. He looked down at the ground below, where numerous black dots scattered about with an expression both cold and merciful, as if he were observing a swarm of ants. Then he spread his arms and plummeted straight down like a bird¡ª With a ¡°boom¡±! The ground erupted with billowing dust! The spot where the suit-clad man landed was just beyond the police cordon. In that instant, dust and gravel flew up, the wind picked up, and the security personnel coughed violently as they retreated. The Guard Captain was about to sound the alarm when his arm, raised halfway, was firmly restrained. A deep voice rang out. ¡°We¡¯re all on the same side.¡± Amidst the dust, the man in the suit stood erect; his voice was as magnetic as a demon¡¯s, bewitching those who heard it. The Guard Captain, as if possessed, lowered the hand that was about to activate the alarm. ¡°Lower your weapons, don¡¯t move.¡± The whispered voice slowly spread through the dust. The security staff from the Judgement Institute, responsible for guarding the derelict building, dropped their weapons in unison upon hearing the command. One by one, their eyes glazed over, standing motionless at their posts. The refined man nodded in satisfaction. He casually adjusted his glasses and gestured above, signaling that the helicopter could leave now. The roar of the rotor blades faded into the distance. The entire derelict building fell silent, as if time had come to a standstill, only disturbed by dust chaotically swirling in the air. The man, briefcase in hand, walked deliberately towards the interior. To him, all the security tapes seemed as if they did not exist and held no meaning. He made his way toward the scene of the fire. Even after 48 hours, the site was still well protected... Crouching down at the stairwell, the man picked up some bone ash and studied it thoughtfully, then narrowed his eyes, focusing on a missing phalanx in the pile of ashes. Soon after, he arrived at the rooftop. The splattered bloodstains had dried up; he touched a digit into it¡ªhard as weathered asphalt with a hint of a foul odor. Someone had trampled over these stains before they had completely dried. Was it last night? The refined man glanced around, once again straightening his gold-rimmed glasses. [Profile, activate.] In his eyes, the pupils reversed in color, reflecting another world atop the rooftop¡ª Someone had come to this place last night and got captured. Two indistinct black shadows walked backward on the rooftop; in the man¡¯s profiled world, time flowed in reverse, unveiling the ¡°true scene¡± that had occurred. The truth was, more than two people had trodden on the bloodstains. There was a third shadow. The man stepped back, moving towards the stairwell, returning to the previous spot, his gaze searching point by point. Now, something inexplicable presented itself. [...Why would the third lurker squat here?] Eventually, the man¡¯s gaze rested on a stack of wood planks in the corner. He crouched down slowly, reaching out, patiently lifting one plank after another until, at last, the truth was revealed underneath the final layer. Beneath the wood planks, covered by a thin layer of dust, a clean rectangular strip was exposed. [He dropped something here last night, which he came back for.] The length and width of the object were approximately... Got it. The man left the building and returned to the vicinity of the security cordon, assisting the staff in restoring the tape. In the process, his eyes met with the puzzled, numb gaze of the Guard Captain. Because of the command ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± everyone was like a wooden figure bound by air, struggling in vain to move even an inch. ¡°Sorry... just routine inspection. It¡¯s much more convenient for me if you all stay like this.¡± The man in the suit spoke alone amidst the silence and dust, restoring the scene. After finishing, he pulled out a business card from his briefcase and, with a smile, made a brief introduction to the Guard Captain: ¡°Judgement Institute, Special Investigation Unit, Han Dang.¡± ¡°Thanks for your cooperation, my work is done now.¡± Han Dang put away the business card, bowed, and started to withdraw. As his figure departed, his last words echoed at the old building¡¯s security line. ¡°Everyone... forget about what just happened, as if you¡¯ve never seen me.¡± Chapter 27 - 27 25 Cat Language ?27: Chapter 25: Cat Language 27: Chapter 25: Cat Language According to past rules, the Judgement Institute¡¯s review of newcomers primarily assessed four aspects¡ª strength, speed, spiritual power, and control. This fifteen-day intense training program was thus centered around enhancing these four areas. Nan Jin was responsible for ¡°strength,¡± Zhong Wei for ¡°speed,¡± and Senior Sister Luo for ¡°spiritual power¡± and ¡°control,¡± which precisely corresponded to their respective extraordinary traits. ... ... ¡°I¡¯m back...¡± Late night, half-past eleven. Having finished a day¡¯s training, Gu Shen returned to his apartment, weakly pushed open the door, leaned against the wall, and barely steadied himself. Today¡¯s training had been brutally intense. Right after the Jingzhe Dream ended, Nan Jin dragged him to the boxing ring. Officially, it was strength training, but in reality, it was more like getting beaten up. Nan Jin was a top-notch close-combat expert, skilled in targeting vital points, tormenting in numerous ways¡ªGu Shen was battered around like a punching bag, yet he still managed to stand up each time. Checking the time, that wicked woman had trained him for a whole six hours... and the intermittent breaks totaled less than twenty minutes. Those six hours felt as long as a century. So much so that on the way back, Gu Shen¡¯s legs kept trembling. ¡°Meow!¡± At the sound of Gu Shen¡¯s voice, the orange cat merrily called out and scurried out of the room. ¡°Here... food.¡± Gu Shen had no energy to deal with the naive cat. He opened a big bag of cat food, tossed it into a corner, and hurried to wash himself. Then he collapsed on the bed, utterly exhausted. Every bone in his body felt like falling apart... Hard to imagine that in Nan Jin¡¯s words, this was just an ¡°appetizer,¡± a ¡°warm-up exercise.¡± How terrifying would tomorrow¡¯s training be? Actually, Gu Shen wasn¡¯t scared or timid; on the contrary... Today, on the boxing ring, each time he was knocked down, he immediately got up. He stood up not to show off, but because he didn¡¯t want to just fall like that. He let out a long breath. Gu Shen stopped overthinking and stretched out his hands, looking satisfactorily at the calluses on his palms. Today¡¯s training had indeed been fruitful. He had started to replace normal breathing with ¡°Jingzhe,¡± and each breath took away a third of his mental fatigue. Often, only in the utmost quiet and limited space could Gu Shen feel his real existence... Like now. In the sealed room, there wasn¡¯t the slightest sound. Not even the wind. Gu Shen slowly closed his eyes, slipping into a light doze, the experiences of the past few days fleeting through his mind. Real yet dreamlike. Sometime, he had pushed open the door to the extraordinary world. Something seemed amiss in his heart, feeling somewhat unsettled; Gu Shen stretched a hand under the pillow, soothing himself much after touching the Truth Ruler. Yes... It was reassuring. From now on, it would be better to carry the Truth Ruler when going out, just in case something unexpected happened... After all, he was the lucky guy who could encounter A-009 even on a train ride; nothing could be too strange. ¡°How do you feel about mastering the Jingzhe Breathing Technique?¡± Da Ju nudged open the bedroom door, tiptoed, and slowly jumped onto the bed, her eyes twinkling with light. Chu Ling had come online. Gu Shen stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and said, ¡°This breathing technique is powerful, and I feel lighter than ever before. But occasionally, I wonder if choosing to wake up later was the right decision?¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± ¡°Actually, looking back now, your choice was indeed the right one.¡± Chu Ling slowly said, ¡°Someone inside the Judgement Institute has already set their sights on you; standing out too much is not good.¡± Gu Shen immediately became cautious. ¡°Someone inside... has their sights set on me?¡± ¡°Yes. This person is called ¡®Han Dang.¡¯ The orange cat licked her paw and came next to Gu Shen, lifting her paw, the bedroom¡¯s projector automatically turned on, displaying one page after another of documents in the blue light. Far away, Chu Ling controlled the system here, projecting the data of Han Dang. Gu Shen frowned as he looked. He had already vaguely guessed that there were conflicts and dissent within the Judgement Institute. The last time his trial concluded, Qinghe Judge Yan Shicheng had mentioned a name¡ª Zhu Wang! At that time, he felt there would be some complications later on. ¡°Han Dang is Zhu Wang¡¯s prized disciple, and his status and power are comparable to Senior Sister Luo; he is also a Spiritual Transcendent.¡± In the Deep Sea archives, Han Dang¡¯s data was entirely retrieved by Chu Ling, detailed from birth to medals of honor... After a thorough review, Gu Shen shook his head in realization. This man named Han Dang, with his extraordinary accomplishments, truly belonged to the bright new generation in the Judgement Institute. He indeed was a worthy counterpart to Senior Sister Luo. Upon seeing the latest action message from Han Dang, Gu Shen¡¯s mind suddenly became exceedingly clear. Sleepiness was entirely gone. ¡°He has arrived in Da Teng City, and went straight to the old building of the fire case...¡± Gu Shen sat up, fatigue swept away from his body, he quickly scrolled through the electronic file, a packaged video in the remote cloud still uploading. He was well aware that Spiritual Transcendents often developed the ability of ¡°profiling,¡± and the top-tier ones, like Senior Sister Luo, could even sketch the environment of the fire case a day after the incident occurred. Senior Sister Luo had restored her extraordinary methods and had nearly seen through the Truth Ruler. This man named Han Dang, being the top disciple of Mr. Shu¡¯s archenemy, had come to Da Teng... his purpose was self-evident. He was coming for him! He was here to investigate the fire case, as well as his own extraordinary ability! ¡°This segment, is the action video I captured.¡± The cloud video finished downloading and popped up immediately. In the video, dust was everywhere, visibility blurred, Gu Shen saw a helicopter arriving at the scene of the fire case... The next scene was truly shocking, after Han Dang fell from the sky, all the security personnel prepared to counterattack at once, but for some unknown reason, they all stood frozen in place, like puppets abandoning their weapons. ¡°Were these people ¡®hypnotized¡¯?¡± Gu Shen felt a lingering fear, recalling the afternoon¡¯s encounter. Facing the infiltration of Senior Sister Luo¡¯s dream, he had no power to resist... The security personnel of the fire case were, without exception, suppressed by Han Dang¡¯s extraordinary power. ¡°He went to the old building to investigate... Due to the lack of surveillance, what happened inside the old building remains unknown.¡± Chu Ling¡¯s tone remained calm and steady, ¡°Fifteen minutes later, Han Dang erased these people¡¯s memories.¡± ¡°This is a bit too terrifying...¡± After watching the video, Gu Shen asked cautiously, ¡°With Han Dang¡¯s extraordinary power being able to manipulate people¡¯s hearts so easily, who could possibly stand against him?¡± ¡°Han Dang is indeed very formidable.¡± Chu Ling paused a moment, ¡°But perhaps... he isn¡¯t as strong as you imagine. Undoubtedly, only a Transcendent can defeat a Transcendent... but, no one is perfect. Everyone has weaknesses, and in a life-or-death fight, that weakness is a fatal flaw.¡± Gu Shen saw amongst the pulled files, a particularly eye-catching red document. Was this a classified file about Han Dang? Curious, Gu Shen maneuvered the cursor and hovered over it, clicking crisply¡ª The file did not open but instead triggered a strong alert tone. Then a series of garbled codes followed. The screen was ultimately filled with a large red cross, alongside four prominently bolded words. ¡°Access Denied.¡± Gu Shen was shocked. All along, he had thought Chu Ling could do anything... linking to Deep Sea permissions, providing all-powerful surveillance, analyzing real-time data, planning strategic deployments... this was simply another Deep Sea with the highest authority. But this time, he had hit a wall. ¡°You seem very surprised?¡± The orange cat calmly licked its paw, ¡°I should not have said that I can do everything.¡± ¡°Yes...¡± Gu Shen subconsciously said, ¡°But... this is just Han Dang¡¯s file...¡± ¡°You are thinking, this is just Han Dang¡¯s file, above Han Dang there is Zhu Wang, and above him are the members of the East Continent Council, and even higher seats...¡± the orange cat turned its head, ¡°I am not omnipotent, there are still many things I can¡¯t do now, maybe in the future.¡± She suddenly asked, ¡°If you could open the file of the Five Continent Chair right now, would you want to take a look?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to see... but I dare not, how many heads wouldn¡¯t be enough to drop?¡± Gu Shen understood the irony, he immediately chickened out, muttering, ¡°Have I already boarded the pirate ship?¡± It was rather ironic. Initially, it was he who had advised Chu Ling not to engage in these illegal activities. Now, he was the one who nonchalantly admitted they were indeed wonderful. ¡°You¡¯ve been on the pirate ship for a while, thinking of changing your mind?¡± the orange cat manipulated its paw, seriously suggesting, ¡°If you change your mind now, a life sentence should be enough. If it¡¯s discovered later, it should be the death penalty.¡± ¡°Ptui ptui ptui, what awful things are you saying?¡± Gu Shen earnestly lifted the orange cat, ¡°We are perfectly honorable young people, we never engage in disorderly bad deeds... as long as it¡¯s not discovered, who knows?¡± The orange cat was somewhat unused to being lifted. It struggled and protested a bit. To no avail. Eventually, it gave up. ¡°In any case... you should know that someone is watching us, and we must remain vigilant at all times.¡± Chu Ling sighed, ¡°That guy named Han Dang is no easy opponent. He has come all this way to Da Teng, surely to mess up your review and then take advantage of the ¡®Special Amnesty¡¯ to strike, further aiming to overthrow Zhou Jiren.¡± Gu Shen fell into thought. ¡°The worst-case scenario is that he has profiled the existence of ¡®Ruler¡¯ and has begun to doubt your extraordinary ability. If there is contact in the future, he will definitely test you. You, need to think of a strategy.¡± The orange cat shook its tail, the glow in its eyes slowly fading. ¡°Alright, I am tired, no audience further.¡± A cat¡¯s yowl startled Gu Shen from his deep thought. Da Ju, who realized halfway that he was held in midair, first was shocked and then very angry, growled lowly, and snuggly wrapped around Gu Shen¡¯s face, pff pff pff released a bunch of yellow smoke, then left in dissatisfaction. Chapter 28 - 28 26 Capture ?28: Chapter 26: Capture 28: Chapter 26: Capture ¡°I must say, Gu Shen is a very resilient person.¡± ¡°Every day, he runs fifteen kilometers with a weight, and he has never complained of being tired.¡± ¡°On the boxing ring, if knocked down a hundred times, he would stand up a hundred times.¡± ¡°Overcome by wooden swords, defeated by setbacks, no matter what happened, he always had the courage to try again. But ... not everything grants the chance to try again.¡± The thirteenth day. Through the soundproof glass, Zhong Wei looked at the training field, where the youth, under Nan Jin¡¯s guidance, clutched the wooden sword and continuously chopped at the dummy. His eyes full of regret, ¡°He can endure what 99% of people cannot, which is an incredible show of perseverance. However ... the Judgement Institute¡¯s evaluation does not consider perseverance; those people only look at potential.¡± After a long reflection. Zhong Wei sighed softly. ¡°Gu Shen seems not to possess the potential to become ¡®S¡¯ grade.¡± A seemingly light statement, yet it cast a heavy verdict on someone¡¯s fate. If one only looked at the final outcome, many situations are encapsulated in just a word or two. Passable, or not. And in front of these light, trivial words like ¡®not¡¯, the sweat, tears, and blood paid by thousands become insignificant. Fate is such a light, yet heavy thing. ¡°...¡± Luo Er, through the glass window, watched the sweat-drenched youth silently, saying nothing. The youth repeatedly chopped at the wooden dummy tirelessly, Nan Jin constantly tapped his shoulders, wrists, and abdomen with the scabbard to correct his sword-holding posture. The youth grimaced in pain but just grimaced, without a word of complaint, and he would never give up. He always managed to quickly adjust himself, always managed to grit his teeth and hold on till the end. The harder Gu Shen on the other side of the glass worked. The sadder Luo Er felt in her heart. She and Zhong Wei were among the first disciples taken in by their teacher, having spent the longest time in the Judgement Institute. Over the years, they had seen many newcomers, some dazzling like meteorites, some fleeting like ephemeral flowers, but unquestionably... those discovered and specially recruited into the Judgement Institute were all extraordinarily talented geniuses. But no matter how one looked at it, Gu Shen did not seem to be the ¡°genius¡± the Judgement Institute was searching for. This youth resembled a cactus growing in the barren desert, plain to an extreme, one could search all over him and find nothing but resilience. Because of resilience, even without rain, he could stubbornly survive. But what good is merely surviving? A cactus is always unattractive, never appealing from any angle. ¡°I know, Senior Sister Luo has never been wrong in her judgment.¡± ¡°But Gu Shen ... he has shown not a trace of a ¡®Natural¡¯ talent.¡± Zhong Wei was somewhat puzzled: ¡°I tried many methods to guide him, but his manifestation of fire control abilities is entirely absent. He cannot sense free elements, nor can he manipulate actual flames. This is truly unreasonable.¡± Glancing at the training field, Zhong Wei muttered, ¡°Clearly, he is not a ¡®Strong Attack Type¡¯, and the enlightenment duration for ¡®Spiritual¡¯ types is so mediocre... why would the teacher think he is ¡®S¡¯ grade?¡± In the beginning, they came to Da Teng filled with anticipation to witness the flair of an ¡®S¡¯ grade newcomer. But as the days passed, most of their expectations were dashed: the only thing commendable was Gu Shen ?s resilient perseverance. As the saying goes, persistence wears down resistance; perseverance is a remarkable trait. But the time left for Gu Shen was only fifteen days. No matter how hard he worked, it wouldn¡¯t change a critical issue. The final evaluation two days later... The outcome was already imaginable. ¡°Don¡¯t forget. Our exploration of Extraordinary Power is just the tip of the iceberg, the genealogical tree is still being updated, and new powers appear every year.¡± Senior Sister Luo finally spoke, ¡°Remember, three years ago, that unique Awakener from Central Continent who couldn¡¯t be categorized into any of the three types?¡± ¡°Are you saying... a Trait type?¡± Zhong Wei suddenly realized, then muttered softly, ¡°That... would make sense. But aren¡¯t the odds too low?¡± ¡°Is that so? Then how do they compare with the odds of being ¡®S¡¯ grade?¡± Senior Sister Luo smiled: ¡°Miracles are called miracles because they are highly improbable, often beyond belief.¡± ¡°Okay, whether Gu Shen has potential is for the evaluation team to decide, not our worry... the important thing is, Gu Shen hasn¡¯t given up, he¡¯s still persisting, how can we lose faith in him?¡± Senior Sister Luo looked at Zhong Wei, speaking earnestly word by word, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for meeting our teacher, both you and I would have been abandoned by fate. Now it¡¯s Gu Shen¡¯s turn; we can¡¯t let him lose hope in this world. At least, his efforts should be duly rewarded.¡± Laughter came from outside the glass window. It was Gu Shen. Senior Sister Luo squinted her eyes, gazing intently. Gu Shen sat sloppily on the ground, supporting himself with the palms of his hands on the grass, laughing heartily. In front of him was a wooden dummy, sliced from the shoulder down, whether it took a thousand or ten thousand chops was no longer important at this moment. The small, askew wooden dummy, split from shoulder to abdomen, nestled that worn and old wooden sword in its gap, resembling a wobbling spinning top, swaying back and forth together with Gu Shen¡¯s laughter. On the side. Nan Jin held the scabbard, her face expressionless behind dark glasses, yet the corner of her lips unconsciously curled upward slightly. She quietly stretched out her hand, pointing to Gu Shen for the siblings inside through the glass window. Persistence needs time. But even piercing a stone begins with a single crack. This was the first time in thirteen days that Gu Shen had completed the extra strength training assigned by Nan Jin ... for a newcomer, especially one who is not a Strong Attack Type Extraordinary Ability User, reaching this stage was not easy. He had mastered the technique of chopping and grasped the importance of finding weaknesses. This was no longer a task that could be accomplished simply through sheer determination. Although... in the formal audit, this level was far from sufficient, the fact that Gu Shen could achieve this was a small ¡°miracle¡±. ... ... Luo Er and Zhong Wei stepped out of the soundproof room. ¡°Whew... Senior Sister, Senior Brother...¡± Gu Shen collapsed to the ground, his clothes soaked with sweat. He smiled and stretched out his hand, pointing at the swaying wooden dummy, ¡°I... I did it... Not bad, right?¡± Standing with her blade to the side, Nan Jin immediately threw cold water on his excitement, ¡°It¡¯s just chopping down a wooden dummy. What¡¯s there to be happy about?¡± ¡°Do you think everyone is a freak of nature like you with double A¡¯s in strength and speed?¡± Gu Shen sprawled out on the ground and said irritably, ¡°If I were as fierce as you, would I still be chopping at wooden dummies here? I would have been at the airport waiting for the so-called audit team... As they land, I¡¯d chop them one by one, two by two... Creating a whirlwind of chaos, cutting through any S-rank nonsense.¡± ¡°If you could really take down the entire audit team, then S-rank would indeed be nonsense,¡± Senior Sister Luo laughed, ¡°Tonight, the people from the audit team will be arriving in Da Teng. How about it, would you consider putting your words into action?¡± Zhong Wei smiled and said, ¡°This audit team includes many important figures, and the one in charge of issuing amnesty is particularly interested in you. So...¡± ¡°The council member is coming to audit me personally?¡± Gu Shen was startled and immediately balked, ¡°I was just talking... just joking around.¡± ¡°Look how scared you¡¯ve got.¡± Nan Jin laughed, ¡°Council members don¡¯t have time to audit you personally. Relax, those big shots are far too busy.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the assistant of that important figure who has come to Da Teng City, together with the audit team. They said they wanted to see your performance personally. Senior Sister Luo and I need to go and meet this assistant council member and keep the audit team in check.¡± Senior Sister Luo seriously said, ¡°The special training can almost end now... Take the next two days to relax a bit. Nan Jin, you¡¯re responsible for taking Gu Shen somewhere away from here, and don¡¯t meet with the audit team prematurely.¡± Nan Jin nodded. Gu Shen seemed a bit lost. ¡°Are Senior Sister and Senior Brother leaving then?¡± ¡°Yeah... There are some familiar faces in the audit team. I need to say hello and see if face still counts for anything.¡± Luo Er remembered something, ¡°Gu Shen, I have good news for you. The business our teacher has been busy with... is about to conclude. If nothing unexpected happens, he should be able to get back to Da Teng before the audit and see you one last time.¡± Gu Shen scratched his head. Seeing each other one last time... somehow that sounded odd. ¡°In short, these next few days, eat well, sleep well, and as for the audit... don¡¯t think too much about it.¡± Before leaving, Brother Zhong considerately advised, ¡°There¡¯s still some money on the card that the Judgement Institute gave you; you can spend it all.¡± Hey, hey, hey. The more he listened, the more ominous it sounded. This audit... it seemed like no one had much faith in him. But... Perhaps it should be this way... Gu Shen looked at the wooden dummy which had mockingly fallen forward and backward after a chop, and quietly closed his mouth. He thought about how his seniors were all extraordinary transcendents, yet only rated as ¡°A¡±, while he had struggled so hard just to chop a wooden dummy. What right had he to be favored or rated ¡°S¡±... Why does everyone seem so impressive, but it all falls apart with you? Gu Shen¡¯s eyebrows drooped, and he silently clenched his fists. Something was brewing and rising in his heart. As he watched Senior Sister Luo and Brother Zhong walking away, he suddenly shouted, ¡°Senior Brother! Senior Sister¡ª¡± The two paused momentarily. Then turned back, looking at him in confusion. The moment he opened his mouth, Gu Shen regretted it. The flame brewing in his heart extinguished as quickly as it had flared. He had intended to say that he would definitely pass the assessment and become the much-anticipated S-rank, but what came out was, ¡°Actually, it¡¯s nothing...¡± Gu Shen¡¯s voice got quieter uncontrollably, ¡°It rained outside today... Be careful on the road, and say hello to that assistant council member for me... And... I¡¯ll definitely give my all in the audit.¡± After all, he had taken their amnesty. He had to let them ¡°inspect the goods¡±... Whether the boss was satisfied was one thing, but whether he had put in the effort was another. So he didn¡¯t say he would definitely succeed, didn¡¯t say he would definitely make it, but that he would definitely give his all. ¡°...¡± After stomping her feet, Senior Sister Luo turned back to gaze at the solitary young man. After a long silence. ¡°Don¡¯t say ¡®I will definitely give my all¡¯... That¡¯s something said by a person who admits defeat in advance.¡± She spoke deliberately and seriously, ¡°We all think you can, so we¡¯ve stuck with you till now. If you think you can too, then say ¡®I will definitely make it.¡¯ After she finished speaking, she no longer looked at the young man, and walked off with Zhong Wei. Just as they were about to leave the training grounds, a voice called out. ¡°Senior Brother! Senior Sister!¡± ¡°In the audit two days from now... I, will definitely make it!¡± Senior Sister Luo waved her hand, didn¡¯t turn around, and left the training ground. Chapter 29 - 29 27 Welfare Home ?29: Chapter 27: Welfare Home 29: Chapter 27: Welfare Home Drizzle. A steady light rain. It fell inside the car, covered by the gentle, soothing piano music, everything was very quiet, with only the sound of the windshield wipers slowly moving. Gu Shen sat in the passenger seat, breathed on his palm through his sleeve to warm it, then wiped the side window, watching the high-rise buildings flow in reverse, the increasingly empty medians. The car went onto the highway, heading towards the remote, desolate suburbs. ¡°Wulaoshan... Why go to such a remote place?¡± Nan Jin¡¯s trench coat was taken off and folded on the back seat. She wasn¡¯t always wearing her tight-fitting battle suit under that coat, like today, for this informal casual occasion where she wore a snow-white shirt paired with washed denim jeans. Perhaps due to her well-proportioned figure, the shirt was stretched tight; with her red hair bundled up, she looked nothing like a savage fighter; she seemed more like a knowledgeable and gentle senior. ¡°You¡¯ve seen my file, you should know,¡± Gu Shen said softly, holding a sleeping orange cat in his arms. ¡°That¡¯s where I grew up.¡± Nan Jin was momentarily stunned. She certainly knew that Gu Shen was raised in an orphanage... but the name of that orphanage was... ¡°Chenguang Orphanage.¡± Gu Shen scratched his head. ¡°A very tacky name, it¡¯s normal if you don¡¯t remember. The gentleman who sponsored the orphanage was named Zhou Chenguang; it was named after him.¡± Chenguang Orphanage was located in a very remote area, near the ravines of Wulaoshan¡ªaccording to the map. The distance...it was a three and a half hour drive from Da Teng City. ¡°Didn¡¯t Sister say that those guys from the audit team were coming? I thought, since we¡¯re hiding... might as well hide far away,¡± Gu Shen smiled and stroked the golden fur on the back of the orange cat. ¡°There¡¯s probably nowhere more remote than Wulaoshan. Even if they¡¯ve read the file, they probably wouldn¡¯t bother coming all this way.¡± ¡°And there¡¯s also...¡± Gu Shen said in a low voice: ¡°The granny at the orphanage was very kind to me. I hadn¡¯t made a name for myself in two years, so I was too embarrassed to go back.¡± Nan Jin nodded in understanding. The trunk was filled with packed fresh fruits, organic vegetables, two boxes of milk, and a large basket of eggs. ¡°Later I thought about it, and I realized I shouldn¡¯t be like that. No matter how things are going, I should go back and see granny and the others,¡± Gu Shen said softly. ¡°But every time, I think of the scene when I left, and I feel ashamed... Granny was so certain, saying I had a good head on my shoulders and was intelligent. She said I would definitely do well in the future, that I would stand out.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you already standing out now?¡± Nan Jin said seriously. ¡°Those wage earners in Da Teng City are quite impressive if they can earn ten thousand a month. You currently have five hundred thousand lying in your account, which is what they¡¯d save in ten years.¡± ¡°...When you put it like that, I kind of feel like I¡¯m really something,¡± Gu Shen adjusted his seat, leaning back, and murmured. ¡°But really, this money has nothing to do with me... It¡¯s as random as winning a lottery jackpot.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say that, this is the fruit of your labor, not at all like buying lottery tickets,¡± Nan Jin raised her eyebrows. ¡°If you really must compare, you could think of the money as the appearance fee for an Oiran. The patron who admires the Oiran pays a fortune because they think you¡¯re worth the money, so then you¡¯re worth the money.¡± ¡°Five hundred thousand... I am indeed pretty valuable,¡± Gu Qian counted on his fingers, then asked with a bit of worry. ¡°If I don¡¯t get an ¡®S¡¯ grade, Mr. Shu won¡¯t make me spit this money back out, right?¡± Upon hearing this, Nan Jin almost laughed out loud. ¡°Five hundred thousand, it¡¯s just a drop in the bucket,¡± she waved her hand. ¡°Just keep on working hard behind your senior brothers and sisters, and this amount of money won¡¯t seem like much.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good...¡± Gu Shen paused for a moment, then slowly said, ¡°I¡¯m planning on donating all of this money, is that okay?¡± As he said this, he kept looking at Nan Jin, his expression a bit anxious. The badass woman was concentrating on driving and didn¡¯t seem to notice Gu Shen¡¯s apprehensive gaze at all. She said indifferently, ¡°Of course it¡¯s okay... That money is already yours, how you choose to spend it is up to you, you don¡¯t need my permission. But if I remember correctly, you don¡¯t have any savings of your own. With that money, you could buy a lot of things. Do you really want to donate it all?¡± ¡°Actually, I still have some money in my account, and there¡¯s nothing I want to buy anyway... Besides, you guys pay the rent and take care of food and drink...¡± Gu Shen didn¡¯t say it with much conviction. He only had a meager few thousand left in his account. ¡°Granny messaged me a few days ago, said the orphanage¡¯s walls are still leaking, and the roof has collapsed again. I was six years old when the roof was still made of adobe, and it often leaked. If we were unlucky and it broke during the rainy season, then we couldn¡¯t read or sleep all day,¡± Gu Shen sighed. ¡°Sister, you were born a rich girl in the Dadu District; you won¡¯t understand this feeling... It¡¯s just very bad. Back then, I would often shovel water while grinding my teeth, thinking that someday when I had money, I would build the biggest, most beautiful house for granny and install the best roof!¡± ¡°...¡± Nan Jin remained silent for a while. She was going to say something to refute Gu Shen¡¯s words... but then she realized she had nothing to say because Gu Shen was right. She was born in the most prosperous and richest district of East Continent, Dadu District, where the land was worth its weight in gold with towering skyscrapers reaching into the clouds. In that cold steel jungle, it was impossible to find the kind of crude mud-brick house Gu Shen spoke of. ¡°Doesn¡¯t the council allocate funds every year?¡± Nan Jin asked in a low voice. ¡°And there are some foundations...¡± ¡°So you see, Sister, you just don¡¯t understand the suffering and hunger...¡± Gu Shen laughed carelessly. ¡°I believe all those funds are well spent. But in this world, there are always places that light doesn¡¯t reach.¡± ¡°The year I left, Granny was thrilled to tell me that someone had donated a large sum of money to the orphanage. Thanks to that money, the house was rebuilt¡ªwhite bricks and red tiles, looking quite picturesque. But unfortunately, the quality wasn¡¯t as good as imagined. If it gets too cold, the water pipes are likely to freeze and burst, so leaking is still a common issue.¡± Gu Shen counted on his fingers again. ¡°I¡¯ve helped Granny do the math. Hiring a reliable construction team to check and repair everything inside and out is not better than adding a little more money... With a bit more money, all problems could be sorted out.¡± He rambled on earnestly, and Nan Jin listened attentively. ¡°Money is indeed a wonderful thing... With more money, everything can be taken care of.¡± Gu Shen sighed contentedly. ¡°The money on this card is just about right to fulfill the promise I made.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s not enough, I can help. Consider it a modest contribution,¡± Nan Jin said softly, eyes lowered. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m a bit richer than you think.¡± Gu Shen was taken aback. Was this the legendary beauty with the powerful financial ability of a rich woman? Just a bit too fierce for me to mess with, though. ¡°No need, no need, the money I¡¯ve earned is more than enough. If I were to owe you a favor, I wouldn¡¯t know with what to repay it.¡± Gu Shen declined with a smile. ¡°But thank you for your kindness.¡± Nan Jin said nothing more, just kept driving. The lazy cat on Gu Shen¡¯s lap, which had been dozing off, slowly opened its eyes at this moment, revealing a faint glimmer in its slender pupils. It flicked its tail and meowed softly. Nan Jin glanced at the orange cat and smiled, ¡°Awake?¡± Contrary to its usual behavior, the cat didn¡¯t respond to her but instead buried its head in Gu Shen¡¯s embrace. Gu Shen laughed awkwardly. His body felt stiff because the meow he¡¯d just heard sounded to him like Chu Ling¡¯s voice, tinged with annoyance. [¡°Tsk!¡±] Due to the special training of the past few days, Gu Shen had been out during the day and returning late at night. The cat at home waited boredly every day. Finally, when Gu Shen came back in the evening, after finishing its cat food and analyzing information, Gu Shen would be asleep within minutes from exhaustion. Now that the special training had ended and they could go out, Chu Ling specifically requested Gu Shen to take... to be exact, to take the cat with him. It wanted to go out for a walk with Gu Shen. Although the apartment was theoretically safe, due to a previous incident where it had been attacked by a Transcendent during the fire case, Gu Shen decided to take the cat with him. At that moment, within Gu Shen¡¯s sleeve on his forearm, the Truth Ruler was firmly bound with two loops of tape... The ruler had now become an indispensable personal item for Gu Shen. Except for the inconvenient times at the training ground when it could easily be discovered, he would always carry it with him. With the ¡°Truth Ruler,¡± he had the confidence to confront sudden Transcendent incidents. And he could also translate the cat¡¯s language into human speech. Gu Shen was surprised at how quickly Chu Ling had come online. On second thought, the conversation he had just had with Nan Jin... she had heard it all. That tsk, she hadn¡¯t misunderstood something, had she? Gu Shen stroked the orange cat¡¯s head. [¡°Hmph!¡±] The cat ignored him, decisively shaking off Gu Shen¡¯s hand. It jumped onto his shoulder and scurried away, swiftly moving to the back seat to claim the entire space for itself and nestle down comfortably. Chapter 30 - 30 28 Sponsorship and Inspection ?30: Chapter 28: Sponsorship and Inspection 30: Chapter 28: Sponsorship and Inspection After a three-and-a-half-hour drive, crossing Da Teng City, they finally arrived beneath the meandering mountain shadows. Wulaoshan was a mountain area heavily protected by Da Teng. There was no tight cluster of steel plantations enveloping the area, and the mountain roads were not rugged. On the contrary, they were quite spacious and echoed the soft chirping of birds. However, the sky was dotted with fine, drizzling rain, as if veiling the view with an oily cloth. No matter how hard one tried to look into the distance, they could only see the vague silhouettes of a few mountain peaks. ¡°These days, the business of scenic spots is really tough,¡± Gu Shen said, ¡°The signal here is weak and the internet is slow, most people would despise it, thinking it¡¯s an uncivilized wilderness, but it¡¯s just a mountain area... We always have to leave something behind.¡± ¡°An uncivilized wilderness...¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Nan Jin turned off the music, opened the car window, and took a deep breath of fresh air: ¡°This is how nature should be. Living here, one can breathe the freshest, most natural air. Although Dadu District is prosperous, and there are high-powered air purifiers everywhere, the air there... it always seems different from here.¡± ¡°What you can¡¯t have is always the best.¡± Gu Shen shrugged his shoulders, ¡°The occasional visitors to this place are also those from upper echelons who feel the air in Dadu District isn¡¯t good enough. Actually, if you really want to say there¡¯s a difference, the air filtered by purifiers is only cleaner. After ¡®Deep Sea¡¯ connected with the whole world, man-made landscapes became more beautiful and smarter than natural landscapes. If it weren¡¯t for the poor terrain here, this place would probably have been abolished long ago.¡± Approaching the massive mountain shadow at the end of their view, the speed of the car increased, and the wide mountain road was not climbing up but sliding down... At the foot of the mountain was a basin, low in the middle and high around the edges, forming a ring. No wonder it accumulated so much water when it rained. ¡°Alright, alright, we¡¯re almost there.¡± Gu Shen took a deep breath, straightened his shirt collar, and after checking the balance in his card, he had been contemplating the idea of a ¡°wealthy homecoming¡± and had painfully bought a new outfit for the occasion. It was just a plain white shirt, paired with a work jacket, and he hadn¡¯t even changed his pants or shoes. The car pulled up in front of the orphanage, the iron fence creaked in the wind, and raindrops splashed on it creating a spray of water. Inside were several freshly painted white red-brick mansions, compared to the large flats in the city center... Indeed, this style of decoration had a very nostalgic feel. The sign at the entrance read ¡°Chenguang,¡± surrounded by crooked crayon graffiti depicting balloons, white clouds, the sun, and children running. Nan Jin looked thoughtfully at another black sedan parked not far from the orphanage. ¡°You don¡¯t have to get out of the car later, senior sister.¡± Gu Shen inexplicably started to feel nervous, he took several deep breaths to calm himself down. He got out of the car, opened the trunk, his left hand carrying two large boxes of milk and a big basket of eggs, his right hand holding various large and small, heavy gift boxes, ready to run through the rain when an umbrella opened above his head. ¡°I¡¯ll walk you there, and take a look around,¡± Softly spoke Nan Jin, carrying a large bag of vegetables, cradling an orange cat in her arm, and holding the umbrella for Gu Shen with her other hand. Perhaps because she replaced her sunglasses with black frame glasses, her fierce face didn¡¯t look as intimidating. ¡°Oh, oh, oh...¡± Gu Shen was pleasantly surprised, squeezed under one umbrella with Nan Jin, their heads bowed as they hurried forward. As he pushed open the iron gate, there was a loud bang, startling him. Hands twisting the ribbons of the firecrackers erupted, scattering over the umbrella. Hidden on either side of the courtyard wall, children who had been waiting for who knows how long suddenly burst out, circling around the umbrella. ¡°Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome¡ª¡± ¡°Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome¡ª¡± Gu Shen, surrounded by children in the rain, was caught off guard as he gazed at these familiar yet unfamiliar faces, a bitter-sweet feeling of emotion welling up in his heart. When he had left, they weren¡¯t this tall, those Little Buds who used to cling to his legs had now grown to the height of his chest. In two years, they had changed a lot. What hadn¡¯t changed were the innocence in their eyes and the childlike quality on their faces. No matter how much they had grown, they were still children. ¡°Welcome home, Brother Shen!¡± The children made a ruckus, one by one taking the things from Gu Shen¡¯s hands. Under the eaves, an old woman knitting a sweater waved at Gu Shen, her hair completely white, her face full of gentleness, ¡°I heard you were coming back, and they were thrilled. These are leftover fireworks from a wedding they attended; San Pao and the others have been saving them for a long time, not willing to use them up, but today they brought them all out.¡± With fireworks ribbons hanging from his hair like a chicken¡¯s nest, Gu Shen shook his head and laughed, ¡°So the treasures have been brought out? Guess these kids do have some conscience after all.¡± San Pao was the smallest of the children, but he was the first to twist open the fireworks and the first to grab something from Gu Shen¡¯s hands. At this moment, he excitedly opened the ¡°gift box¡± and let out a wail, ¡°Brother Shen! Why is it all meat?¡± The gift box was packed full, filled with plain meat, eggs, and milk. In his rush, Gu Shen had forgotten to buy toys. He coughed and said, ¡°Next time, definitely next time.¡± ¡°Having meat is great! It shows that Brother Shen cares about your growth!¡± another kid laughed, ¡°In two years, your height hasn¡¯t changed.¡± San Pao spat disdainfully and raised a chicken leg as if to strike. The children were gleefully unpacking the gift boxes. ¡°Who is this...?¡± The old woman looked at the girl holding an umbrella, surprise evident in her eyes. Such a gentle and graceful beauty was something one only saw on television. Gu Shen wanted to introduce Nan Jin, but for a moment, he didn¡¯t know how to approach it... Should he tell the old woman that this was the great benefactor who had saved his life, now considered almost a sworn elder brother to him? He scratched his head but hadn¡¯t begun to speak. ¡°Hello, grandma. I¡¯m Gu Shen¡¯s senior, and we¡¯re working together at the research institute in Da Teng City,¡± Nan Jin smiled gently, handing out a business card, ¡°Gu Shen is doing very well, excelling impressively. He was noticed by my advisor, so you might consider it like... a direct recommendation.¡± ¡°A direct recommendation?¡± the old woman took the card, stunned, and looked at Gu Shen unbelievingly. ¡°Yes, yes, a direct recommendation,¡± Gu Shen hastily added, ¡°I accidentally got accepted into a research institute...¡± The orange cat in Nan Jin¡¯s arms watched the scene lazily, snorting with laughter at this moment. Gu Shen, who always showed great acting skills, almost messed up on this matter. ¡°I can¡¯t understand what¡¯s written on this business card...¡± The grandmother squinted, cautiously inspecting the card. She couldn¡¯t understand the complex job titles but remembered the name ¡°Nan Jin.¡± ¡°Thank you, girl. Gu Shen must have caused you trouble, right?¡± the grandmother said, handing back the business card and then added with deep meaning, ¡°Xiao Gu, I know you¡¯ve left this place and must be doing well outside, but it¡¯s not easy to meet people who are kind to you... You must cherish it.¡± ¡°Grandma, what are you talking about...¡± Gu Shen sighed deeply, powerless to explain. He completely understood what his grandmother was thinking. Who wouldn¡¯t like such a gentle, understanding, and beautiful elder sister? And who would imagine that this beautiful sister usually portrays an image of a fierce fighter who doesn¡¯t hesitate to draw swords? ¡°I came back this time to fix the house,¡± he said. Gu Shen took out the card and said earnestly, ¡°The teacher at the institute is very kind to me and awarded me a generous scholarship. Grandma, you mentioned the house often leaks, and San Pao and his friends need money for school. There are all sorts of miscellaneous expenses besides the government subsidies. In short... I¡¯ll take care of it all!¡± His statement was truly assertive. The feeling of being wealthy back in one¡¯s hometown... was fantastic. However, Gu Shen did not receive the expected feedback; the grandmother just smiled warmly at him without much action. ¡°Oh my...¡± Gu Shen raised the card, looking surprised and a bit disappointed, ¡°Grandma, why such a reaction?¡± The grandmother apologizing to Nan Jin, said, ¡°Girl, I am having a chat with Xiao Gu... There are some fruits and brewed tea in the hall, would you mind waiting there for a while?¡± ¡°You¡¯re too polite,¡± Nan Jin said with a smile. ¡°Perfect, I was thinking of taking a walk.¡± The moment she turned to leave, the orange cat in her arms meowed and darted out, surprising Nan Jin, but the cat moved too quickly to track. ... The grandmother pulled Gu Shen upstairs. ¡°Grandma, why all the secrecy...¡± Gu Shen was a bit puzzled. ¡°Xiao Gu, it has been a long time since I have seen such a beautiful girl. Your senior is as pretty as a movie star.¡± Reaching the second floor, the grandmother¡¯s eyes twinkled with laughter, ¡°You must treat her well, don¡¯t bully her for being a delicate and powerless girl.¡± Gu Shen: ¡°???¡± Delicate and powerless? That delicate and powerless girl beats him up a hundred times every day! A hundred times, indeed. ¡°She is really just my senior,¡± Gu Shen tried to clarify seriously, but he knew the laughter in his grandmother¡¯s eyes clearly meant, keep making excuses. Which senior would drive a long distance just to drop you? ¡°I already have a girlfriend!¡± Struck by an idea, Gu Shen spoke earnestly, boasting, ¡°She¡¯s even prettier than the stars on TV. I¡¯ll bring her over to meet you next time.¡± ¡°Oh ho ho ho... It seems I misunderstood,¡± the grandmother suddenly understood, surprised and delighted, her face aglow with a smile, ¡°Xiao Gu, you really have surprised me. Now I¡¯m at ease.¡± Finally, he had clarified things. Gu Shen breathed a sigh of relief, a bitter smile in his heart. He had thought the money in his account would make his grandmother happier, but she was more concerned about his ¡°lifetime affair.¡± The matter of fixing the house... wasn¡¯t necessary for him to participate, she could handle it alone. A proud smile flashed in the grandmother¡¯s eyes, ¡°A few days ago, a gentleman contacted us, wanting to sponsor a renovation for the welfare home. He¡¯s here today to inspect it. Nowadays, it¡¯s rare to see someone conduct such detailed on-site inspections, he must be a doer. If we can secure this, funding for the welfare home won¡¯t be a concern anymore.¡± ¡°Additionally...¡± Lowering her voice, she continued, ¡°Just by looking at him, you can tell he¡¯s wealthy. You¡¯ll see in a bit.¡± ¡°Sponsorship... inspection...¡± Gu Shen was suddenly taken aback, now remembering there indeed had been a second car parked at the entrance of the welfare home, which he had overlooked due to his nervousness about the upcoming meeting. ¡°This gentleman is on the rooftop, let me take you to see him,¡± the grandmother said cheerfully, picking up a garment and leading Gu Shen upstairs. The four-story red brick house had a rooftop where flowers and plants were usually grown. The rain was falling densely and heavily. A man in a suit was standing at the entrance of the rooftop, holding an umbrella, alone in the middle of the rooftop, gazing at the distant continuous mountains and mist. The grandmother¡¯s laughter came from behind. ¡°Mr. Xiao Han, sorry to keep you waiting,¡± she called out. The man in the suit slowly turned around, the light reflecting off his wire-rimmed glasses casting the figures of the old and the young behind him. He smiled, ¡°It wasn¡¯t that long.¡± Chapter 31 - 31 29 Testing and Entering the Game ?31: Chapter 29: Testing and Entering the Game 31: Chapter 29: Testing and Entering the Game Fine raindrops splattered. Under the umbrella, a soft and graceful half-profile slowly emerged, surprisingly beneath the scholarly man¡¯s gold-rimmed glasses were eyes as gentle as the night. But only those who knew his identity understood that the gentleness in those eyes represented a certain danger¡ª When Gu Shen clearly saw the person¡¯s face on the rooftop, his hair stood on end. Han Dang! This was an extremely dangerous individual. Thirteen days ago, he had arrived in Da Teng City... secretly investigating his own fire incident all this while! Did he discover something suspicious about the fire? He had actually tracked him down all this way, truly an unrelenting madman. The wind swept across the rooftop, skewing the rain and swaying the branches of flowers. There was a burst of faint fragrance. ¡°Grandma, I really like the flowers here,¡± The man in the suit nodded at Gu Shen with a smile, his demeanor and posture so natural it didn¡¯t seem like they were meeting for the first time, but rather like old friends who had known each other for many years. He deeply inhaled the air and said, ¡°In big cities, there are air purifiers everywhere, but no matter what fragrance is added, nothing smells as good as real flowers. This rooftop is too old, these flowers deserve a better roof.¡± Upon hearing this, Grandma¡¯s eyes crinkled with joy; she was truly delighted and earnestly admired, ¡°As expected of Mr. Xiao Han, such excellent taste... I¡¯ve really put a lot of effort into caring for these flowers.¡± Gu Shen knew that these words would delight her. Because she truly loved gardening, tenderly caring for the flowers on the rooftop and the vegetables and fruits in the yard all by herself, as if they were children of the yard. ¡°This is...?¡± Han Dang smiled at Gu Shen, pretending not to know him. ¡°Xiao Gu, this is the philanthropist I told you about, Mr. Xiao Han, young and promising.¡± Grandma cheerfully pulled the two together and introduced, ¡°Mr. Xiao Han, this is Gu Shen, the kid who grew up in our yard, very clever, he has an eidetic memory since he was little.¡± Han Dang smiled and nodded, tucking his bag under his arm and extending his hand elegantly. ¡°Gu Shen, nice to meet you for the first time, please take care of me.¡± Han Dang was a powerful Spiritual Extraordinary... Recalling the Jingzhe Dream technique his senior sister had taught him. Gu Shen had a vague ominous premonition... If he shook hands with Han Dang now and established physical contact, he might be forcibly drawn into a dream, right? But the current situation left him no choice but to comply. Gu Shen could only grit his teeth and extend his hand. Just at that moment. ¡°Meow!!!¡± From the stairwell of the rooftop, a flash of orange darted out, knocking over a tall vase with a slap, and the vase fell toward Han Dang. The scholarly man under the umbrella frowned. An instinctive reaction made him want to dodge... but just at the critical moment, Gu Shen¡¯s outstretched hands timely caught the vase, and he cursed, ¡°Ah, you silly cat, how can you be so careless, what if you had hurt the guest?¡± The orange cat crouched in the corner licking its paw, meowing softly, its face full of innocence. ¡°It¡¯s slippery on a rainy day...¡± Securing the vase, Gu Shen pulled back his hands and earnestly said, ¡°Mr. Han, why don¡¯t you come inside.¡± ¡°Yes, indeed,¡± Grandma, startled by the ordeal, clutched her chest and gave Gu Shen an approving look that said ¡®young hero, well done¡¯, and quickly said, ¡°Mr. Xiao Han, why not come inside for a chat, Gu Shen can keep you company, I¡¯ll go downstairs to make a pot of hot tea.¡± ¡°...¡± Han Dang paused for a moment, then smiled and said, ¡°I would be honored to follow your suggestion.¡± Grandma hurried downstairs with her clothes. Gu Shen breathed a sigh of relief, casting a grateful glance towards the orange cat. He knew Chu Ling was online now, but what should he do next? Gu Shen led the way ahead, feeling uneasy, as if he were followed by a ghost. Han Dang had closed his umbrella and was following behind, his footsteps light and silent, quiet like a specter. The guest room was quite near, just two flights down and a few steps away, yet these few steps now seemed unbearably long. ¡°Gu Shen...¡± Han Dang spoke softly, ¡°Do you live in Da Teng City?¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± Taking a deep breath, Gu Shen slowly emerged from his state of tension. He could even hear his heartbeat, but each of his movements became incredibly calm and steady. Some people always manage to tap into their potential in high-pressure situations. Gu Shen was one of those people. Since Han Dang had already tracked him down, he might as well face him head-on now. They were both from the Judgement Institute, bound to meet sooner or later... Today¡¯s confrontation might not be a bad thing. Gu Shen had reviewed Han Dang¡¯s file countless times, practically knowing it by heart. Yet Han Dang did not know that he was aware of his existence. He wanted to test him, little knowing... that this was also an excellent opportunity for him to test Han Dang. ¡°Before you came, grandma kept praising you, saying you were smart, excellent, became independent very early, left here at sixteen... It must not be easy living in Da Teng City, right?¡± Han Dang asked slowly, ¡°Where are you working now?¡± Having reviewed Han Dang¡¯s file, Gu Shen knew he was a genius who had joined the Judgement Institute at a very young age. The file documented that Han Dang, too, had not received much care in his childhood, not unlike his own experiences. ¡°A job my foot... How high can someone get who started hustling at a young age. I¡¯m just scrapping by to make a living, I can¡¯t compare to a successful person like Mr. Han.¡± Gu Shen asked with a smile, ¡°And where is Mr. Han employed?¡± Han Dang frowned. He suspected Gu Shen was insulting him... but had no proof. This young lad probably didn¡¯t know his identity yet. This investigation had surprisingly led him to Gu Shen, something even he hadn¡¯t anticipated. After arriving in Da Teng City, Han Dang followed the clues related to a fire case, conducting a thorough investigation around Gu Shen¡¯s file... Back at the council, his mentor¡¯s impeachment against Mr. Shu was likely going nowhere. But there was still room to maneuver with the amnesty order! After profiling, Han Dang strongly suspected that Gu Shen was not a Transcendent. He believed the real truth behind the fire case was that Gu Shen had used a remarkably powerful ¡°Extraordinary Sealed Object,¡± likely hidden under those unburned planks. It was long and rectangular, resembling a plank or perhaps a ruler. If so, the evaluation team made a severe mistake in their judgment of Gu Shen... Let alone an ¡°S¡± rating, Gu Shen didn¡¯t even qualify for a ¡°D¡± rating; he was just an ordinary person. But even after scouring the Deep Sea database and even leveraging his mentor Zhu Wang¡¯s privileges to search for records of the related Sealed Objects, he found nothing. He didn¡¯t think his deduction was wrong, rather he believed the ¡°Extraordinary Sealed Object¡± he was looking for wasn¡¯t recorded... Subsequently, he shifted his investigation to Gu Shen¡¯s background, coming to this orphanage to look for clues related to the Sealed Object, perhaps a ¡°family heirloom¡± that had been with Gu Shen for many years. Regrettably, after extensive investigation, this lead also turned up empty. Gu Shen came with nothing and left with nothing. No family heirloom, no parents¡¯ belongings. Today, the evaluation team officially arrived in Da Teng City. With only two days until the final evaluation, his time was running out. But fortuitously, as if finding something after a long and fruitless search, he had unexpectedly encountered Gu Shen here... It seemed this young man had caught wind of the evaluation team¡¯s arrival in Da Teng and came here to avoid them, apparently uneasy about making contact too soon. Since they had met. Then, things became very simple. ¡°Gu Shen.¡± His voice, incredibly soft, echoed in the stairwell. The eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses met Gu Shen¡¯s, diffusing a swath of dark ink at that moment. In that instant, Han Dang¡¯s voice took on a commanding tone, saying, ¡°... Enter the Dream!¡± Chapter 32 - 32 30 Soul Interrogation ?32: Chapter 30: Soul Interrogation 32: Chapter 30: Soul Interrogation In the shadowy stairwell, two men stood quietly. In the darkest corner of the hallway, an even quieter orange cat crouched. Both men and the cat, motionless. Like stone sculptures. ... ... Gu Shen faintly remembered someone calling his name. Then, against his will, he turned his head and made eye contact with that person. When he came to again, he found himself here. [¡°It¡¯s so dark...¡±] All around him was a chaotic abyss of darkness, visible was nothing. Where was this? There was a familiar feeling, somewhat similar to the Jingzhe Dream, yet not entirely the same. He looked down at his hand, only to see a wisp of ghostly mist; his consciousness remained, but his physical body had lost its solidity... ¡°This place is Han Dang¡¯s ¡®Dream,''¡± said a voice. A white light, faint and condensing, became the only strand of brightness in the darkness. The so-called white light wasn¡¯t Chu Ling herself, but an oil-paper lantern she held. It had an ancient charm, resembling the exorcist girls from comic books. The lantern¡¯s flame burned, illuminating the surrounding darkness, dispelling the fog. ¡°Just now, Han Dang used the most direct way to pull you into the dream. As Chu Ling lifted the lantern, it revealed the furthest end of the gloom¡ª Gu Shen saw another version of himself sitting on a narrow chair, bound by chains, head drooping. This was the Dream World, where everything was created by spiritual power... Clearly, Han Dang was this world¡¯s ruler. ¡°Pulled into a dream...¡± Gu Shen felt he could no longer clench his fists, the sense of strength within him gradually fading. He was like a cluster of willow fluff, ready to scatter with the first breeze. ¡°Your spiritual power is not sufficient to resist the dream casting of powerful beings like Han Dang,¡± Chu Ling said. ¡°However, at the last moment, I established a ¡®Spiritual Link¡¯ with you, forcibly retaining a thread of your spirit. So... you¡¯re not completely seated on that chair yet.¡± She pursed her lips. Looking at the chair, Gu Shen felt a growing sense of oppression. Just by staring at the other self seated slumped, an intense feeling of powerlessness surged forward. ¡°What will happen if I sit down?¡± ¡°If you sit down, you¡¯ll lose control of your own spirit,¡± Chu Ling whispered. ¡°In Han Dang¡¯s dream world, your soul body can neither hide nor deceive. He will extract every piece of information he wants to know... Luo Er and Zhong Wei were protecting you so closely that he usually had no chance to get near you. It¡¯s ironic that leaving Da Teng City this time was instead playing right into his hands.¡± Gu Shen pondered. ¡°That is to say... I still retain the last bit of autonomy over my spirit.¡± ¡°Correct, he can neither detect nor sever my ¡®Spiritual Link,''¡± Chu Ling slowly explained. ¡°The current situation is not good. If Han Dang only intends to interrogate you, your spirit should not suffer too much damage.¡± Gu Shen keenly picked up on the ominous undertones. ¡°What if... it¡¯s more than just interrogation?¡± His heart skipped a beat. ¡°What if he wants to torture me?¡± ¡°No matter who it is, getting hit hurts. If he tortures you...¡± she paused, ¡°then it will depend on whether you can withstand it or not.¡± Chu Ling considered for a moment then said. ¡°Even if you can withstand it... you¡¯ll most likely be beaten to a pulp, your spirit severely damaged.¡± ¡°What if I can¡¯t withstand it?¡± Gu Shen¡¯s right eyelid began to twitch uncontrollably. ¡°In the dream cast by Dream Casting... it¡¯s possible for someone to die, even in a shallow dream state, which does not guarantee absolute safety,¡± Chu Ling said, lowering her gaze. ¡°If your spirit collapses, you might become an out-of-control, or you might die outright. It all depends on Han Dang¡¯s intentions.¡± Indeed... it was as he had anticipated, interacting with Han Dang essentially equated to entering a dream. One might avoid the inevitable for a while, but not forever. Such a feeling was terrible. He had no ability to fight back. After being subjected to Han Dang¡¯s Dream Casting and entering the dream, he was like a fish on the chopping block. ¡°Luckily, according to the records, Han Dang isn¡¯t the type who likes to resort to violence... and it can be inferred that he doesn¡¯t want to expose himself just yet,¡± Chu Ling said. ¡°Do you remember that fragmentary video? Han Dang deliberately erased the memories of the security staff at the fire scene. His investigation in Da Teng City was conducted in secret, not wishing anyone to know.¡± ¡°So all I can hope for is... that he will only interrogate me later, not torture me.¡± Gu Shen stared at the man in the suit, grinding his teeth. ¡°This son of a bitch isn¡¯t going to disregard the rules of engagement, is he?¡± Actually, if it were really torture, that might be preferable. Gu Shen didn¡¯t believe that Han Dang would dare to kill him here. But what troubled Gu Shen even more was how to deal with the upcoming ¡°interrogation¡±... Interrogation! Always interrogation! In Han Dang¡¯s dream, he was unable to lie. He was sure to be asked about the details of the fire case, and might already suspect that his extraordinary ability no longer existed... If he uncontrolledly told the truth, it would all be over. ... ... Han Dang smoothed out his tie and brushed the wrinkles from his suit. He looked down from above at the pitiful young man in the chair and snapped his fingers. A burst of cold water appeared out of nowhere and poured down, drenching Gu Shen from head to toe. The spiritual link broke at that moment¡ª Gu Shen suddenly awoke, enveloped in a bone-chilling cold, and he looked up at Han Dang with a face filled with ¡°panic and disarray.¡± ¡°Gu Shen, the ¡®S¡¯ who is vested with great hope by Zhou Jiren.¡± Han Dang spoke softly, ¡°I¡¯ve always been curious about the genius who is protected at all costs with a special pardon, just how gifted he could be... But seeing you now, I am very disappointed.¡± ¡°Judging from the bloodstains on the rooftop, you must have awakened a spiritual extraordinary power, right?¡± Han Dang crouched down, looked Gu Shen in the eye, and spoke indifferently, ¡°But your spiritual power is too weak... completely unable to resist my Dream Casting, not even a hint of resistance.¡± ¡°...¡± Gu Shen opened his mouth to speak, but found he could not utter a single word. ¡°¡®I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re talking about,''¡± Han Dang said with a smile. ¡°That¡¯s probably what you want to say... but the words just won¡¯t come out, no matter how hard you try.¡± ¡°How does that feel?¡± Gu Shen looked at Han Dang in astonishment. The man in the suit spread his arms, and his voice suddenly became as commanding as that of a god! ¡°My Dream World domain... is named ¡®Truth Domain¡¯!¡± Han Dang¡¯s figure suddenly dispersed, his suit turning to flying sand, and his voice became the wind, with flying sand and wind sweeping through every corner of the dark dream world. ¡°Here, what I say is truth, and regardless of who enters the dream, no one can lie within the Truth Domain.¡± The next moment he suddenly appeared beside Gu Shen, lifting a hand as if to touch something... A dim white light shone in the darkness, casting its light on Gu Shen, making him look even more like a prisoner. ¡°We shall meet... with our most genuine faces.¡± Han Dang stepped back, as if stumbling by accident, his form dissipating into the boundless darkness. The next moment, the flying sand reformed five steps opposite of Gu Shen, and the man settled comfortably into a high-backed seat without a trace of disarray, only elegance and composure. He casually propped his elbows on his knees. The dim white light revealed the object that lay between them. It was a long, cold, black table. This place had completely transformed into an interrogation room, with walls slowly becoming more distinct all around. ¡°What a pity, a boy who likes to act, you¡¯ve met me,¡± Han Dang stared into Gu Shen¡¯s eyes, expressionless. ¡°I¡¯ve watched the interrogation video of Case A-009; you started playing the fool from then on, didn¡¯t you?¡± Gu Shen¡¯s throat made a grating noise. He couldn¡¯t speak, couldn¡¯t deny. ¡°Stop struggling, it¡¯s useless.¡± Seeing this scene, Han Dang smiled. ¡°Now... I shall conduct an interrogation of your soul.¡± Chapter 33 - 33 31 Truth and Deception ?33: Chapter 31 Truth and Deception 33: Chapter 31 Truth and Deception ¡°What... what do you want to do?¡± Gu Shen was finally able to speak. However, he heard his own voice, as if floating out from his chest, no longer belonged to him. ¡°You have no right to ask questions.¡± The response was an icy reprimand. The light above suddenly focused into an extremely hot beam of light, completely enveloping Gu Shen. In an instant, it was as if his soul had been doused with boiling hot water! ¡°On the day of the fire incident, what means did you use to kill those two Transcendents?¡± Han Dang fixed his gaze on Gu Shen. Under the scorching light, Gu Shen growled in pain, his forehead¡¯s veins bulging, not wanting to speak. But then, an enraged voice reverberated deep within his soul¡ª ¡°Speak!¡± [Truth Domain, engage!] With a bang, Gu Shen¡¯s head exploded in pain, as though an invisible hand had firmly pressed his skull down onto the Judgment Chief¡¯s desk. He tried to resist the Truth Domain. But his voice uncontrollably squeezed out from his chest bit by bit, hoarsely like dry sand grains: ¡°It was... a Sealed Object... I used an Extraordinary Sealed Object...¡± Han Dang stared coldly at Gu Shen. Within the Truth Domain, Gu Shen could not lie. Indeed, it was as he had thought, Gu Shen himself did not possess the power to deal with those two Transcendents, he had borrowed external power. ¡°What kind of Sealed Object, and where did you get it from?¡± Han Dang spoke deliberately, slowly stepping back from his furious state, regaining his gentle and elegant demeanor. The surrounding darkness¡¯s tumult slowly dissipated. But the one thing that did not change was that Gu Shen was still pressed against the desk, voice forcibly extracted from his throat bit by bit. ¡°It was... a ruler... I got it from A-009...¡± ¡°A-009?¡± Han Dang frowned, then suddenly realized. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place. This was indeed his investigative blind spot, Han Dang had previously speculated that the ¡°Extraordinary Item¡± was something Gu Shen had long possessed, which allowed him to survive the successive Transcendent incidents. So that¡¯s it... Gu Shen had fortuitously obtained the Sealed Object from A-009. ¡°The fire attracted a lot of attention, so you hid the Sealed Object under the wooden board in the corner of the rooftop stairs, and after the incident, you went back to the scene of the fire and took it away.¡± Han Dang smiled, crossing his hands: ¡°Gu Shen, I must say... you are a brave man. Is that ruler on you right now?¡± ¡°...¡± A prolonged silence. Gu Shen¡¯s voice was no longer trembling. ¡°No... I left it in the bedroom of my apartment in Da Teng City.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Han Dang chuckled: ¡°It seems that you are not so clever after all. Such an important item, not carried with you... where exactly in the bedroom did you put the ruler?¡± He did not notice the subtle change in Gu Shen¡¯s tone and manner of speaking. He did not see. Above the bench behind Gu Shen, a snow-white dress floated, dancing gently in the dark space and drifting down. The girl sat overlapped with Gu Shen on the chair. In the Truth Domain, Gu Shen could not lie. But... someone else could. Chu Ling, who had established a Spiritual Link with Gu Shen, was an onlooker unconstrained by the dream, unaffected by the Truth Domain or any other rules of the dream. This was the method Gu Shen thought of at the last moment, to cope with Han Dang¡¯s interrogation. This was the thirteenth day of Han Dang¡¯s investigation, nearing its final stage, and he harbored strong suspicions about himself. So, facing this interrogation of the soul... even with the method of Spiritual Link, Gu Shen could not risk lying through and through, for he was facing an extremely sharp and ruthless character. If Han Dang realized that Gu Shen could lie within the Truth Domain, the situation would have escalated beyond resolution. Therefore, he could only honestly confess about the existence of Truth Ruler. The consequences had to be faced. All for the moment when Han Dang would let his guard down, for the final Spiritual Link. ¡°I put the ruler in...¡± Chu Ling¡¯s voice overlaid Gu Shen¡¯s, slow and drawn-out: ¡°The bedroom storage cabinet, in the third-layer drawer.¡± ... ... Something was strange. Gu Shen¡¯s aura changed, making him seem unlike himself. Han Dang frowned slightly, sensing something amiss, but quickly dismissed it as his own illusion. The boy couldn¡¯t possibly deceive him within the ¡°Truth Domain.¡± Now that he had obtained the most important piece of information¡ªthe whereabouts of the ruler¡ª His mission was accomplished. Finally... there was a choice before him. Han Dang only wanted to disrupt the examination. There was no simpler or more direct method than to seriously wound Gu Shen. In the dream of the ¡°Truth Domain,¡± all it would take was a wave of his hand to ensure the boy lay in a hospital bed for three to five months. But soon. That thought was abandoned by Han Dang. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t dare to do it; it was that he didn¡¯t want to. If he was the one to disable Gu Shen, and it got exposed, he would truly be in a heap of trouble. Mr. Shu¡¯s students were very united; they might do something drastic... Just the thought of that madwoman with the surname Luo gave Han Dang an immense headache. ¡°That¡¯s enough... Just get the ruler, submit it to the assessment team, and everything will be over,¡± he mused. The minute Han Dang spent in silent contemplation. Was also a minute of deathly stillness within the Truth Domain dream. During that minute, Chu Ling maintained the ¡°Spiritual Link¡± without breaking it, while Gu Shen was tormented by the long wait, his fate not in his own hands. It could even be said that, life or death, all depended on a single thought from Han Dang. ¡°Snap.¡± Finally, Han Dang snapped his fingers. He looked at Gu Shen with a reborn smile on his icy face, ¡°Let¡¯s forget everything that happened here and return to reality, where we can become friends at first sight.¡± ... ... A long time seemed to have passed within the Truth Domain dream. But in reality, it was as if the clock had only ticked once. Inside the stairwell, the two men who were as still as statues returned to normal. Gu Shen scratched his head, ¡°Mr. Han, did you just call me?¡± ¡°Not at all,¡± Han Dang said with a gentle smile, adjusting his glasses, ¡°Perhaps you heard wrong?¡± A fervent voice rose from the bottom of the stairs, ¡°Xiao Gu, the tea is ready. Hurry and bring Mr. Xiao Han down...¡± Han Dang picked up his briefcase and descended the stairs to greet the grandmother with a slight bow and that harmless, scholarly smile, ¡°Grandma, I¡¯ve still got things to do and can¡¯t continue to intrude.¡± The grandmother stood there awkwardly. ¡°How come you¡¯re leaving when we were having such a good conversation?¡± She tried to signal to Gu Shen with her eyes, eager to understand what exactly had happened in the short time it took to brew a pot of tea. This was a big fish... no, a rare visitor indeed. Gu Shen subtly shook his head, indicating he knew nothing. The grandmother quickly approached with a laugh, ¡°Eh eh eh, Mr. Xiao Han...¡± ¡°You¡¯re probably asking about the sponsorship, right?¡± Han Dang said with a smile, ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry. The sponsorship won¡¯t be a problem. Mr. Gu Shen and I hit it off, and our conversation was delightful. Therefore, I have covered the renovation expenses for the orphanage. Besides, I genuinely like the flowers on the rooftop. There aren¡¯t many people like you in this day and age, and I hope the orphanage continues its work.¡± If Gu Shen hadn¡¯t reviewed Han Dang¡¯s file in advance, hadn¡¯t lived through the Truth Domain dream, hadn¡¯t resisted the hypnosis with ¡°Spiritual Link,¡± He might have really become friends with ¡°Mr. Xiao Han¡± at first sight. And anyone observing the interaction would surely think that this was a young man full of positivity and love for the community, generous and courteous in speech, graceful in manner. ¡°This is the first batch of sponsorship funds.¡± Han Dang took out a check for one hundred thousand from his jacket, signed his name to it, and as he watched the grandmother¡¯s joyous and excited smile, he said, ¡°I will continue to send funds to Chenguang Orphanage.¡± ¡°Thank you so much,¡± the grandmother said, tugging at Gu Shen¡¯s sleeve, ¡°Xiao Gu, why are you just standing there?¡± Gu Shen quickly replied warmly, ¡°Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Han.¡± The more amiable and approachable Han Dang behaved in reality, The more Gu Shen, who saw through everything, felt fear and wariness. Even though this man already possessed the transcendent power to alter thoughts in dreams, there was no need for pretense or disguise, yet he still wore a mask, tirelessly enjoying the adoration of others. Between the dream and reality, which one was the real Han Dang? ¡°No need for thanks.¡± Han Dang said with a smile, patting Gu Shen on the shoulder, ¡°I should be the one thanking you.¡± Watching the confusion on Gu Shen¡¯s face, not understanding the situation, Han Dang smiled again without speaking a word, simply holding his briefcase and leaving the orphanage with a spring in his step. Chapter 34 - 34 32 Escape from Danger ?34: Chapter 32: Escape from Danger 34: Chapter 32: Escape from Danger ¡°Big sister, you¡¯re really pretty!¡± The shortest one, San Pao, looked up at Nan Jin, his eyes filled with stars. ¡°What¡¯s your relationship with Brother Gu Shen?¡± Nan Jin smiled and smoothed her hair, striving to portray the image of a gentle and knowledgeable big sister as she gently answered, ¡°Little friend, I¡¯m Gu Shen¡¯s senior sister~¡± San Pao shook his head like a bobblehead doll; this was his first time seeing such a beautiful woman. But his intuition told him. This beautiful big sister and Brother Gu Shen shared no ordinary relationship! He earnestly and loudly said, ¡°Big sister, I¡¯m already eight years old, I understand everything! Do you have any other relationship?¡± A vein popped on Nan Jin¡¯s forehead. This little brat, not even ten years old, what¡¯s always on his mind? ¡°My relationship with Gu Shen is indeed not that simple...¡± she said with a smile, ¡°But it¡¯s a secret, I can tell you, but you can¡¯t tell anyone else.¡± San Pao¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Come closer.¡± Nan Jin gently crouched down and waved San Pao over, signaling him to come closer. San Pao scampered over, his ears perking up as well. Nan Jin smiled and said, ¡°I am Gu Shen¡¯s long-lost biological father.¡± San Pao¡¯s face filled with shock. He looked incredulously at the beautiful and gentle big sister in front of him, ¡°Really... really?¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± Nan Jin placed a hand on San Pao¡¯s head, her face full of smiles as she asked, ¡°Do you think I¡¯m lying to you?¡± [Dangerous, dangerous, dangerous, dangerous, dangerous.] ¡°How... how could that be possible?¡± San Pao bobbed his head like a pecking chicken, and very smoothly delivered a series of sycophantic praises: ¡°Big sister, because you¡¯re beautiful, whatever you say must be right.¡± Nan Jin released her hand satisfied, watching the little brat hug his toy and scamper away. She leaned against the railing, gazing at the misty mountains in the distance, and sighed softly, muttering to herself, ¡°Really, who else but a biological father would send him all this way to a place like this... ¡± There was the sound of a car starting at the entrance of the courtyard. Nan Jin furrowed her brows, watching a black sedan pull away through the rain. She had been aware of that sedan, such a remote orphanage... it was unusual for anyone to visit. While chatting with the children, she had learned that an ¡°altruistic individual¡± had specifically come to Chenguang to investigate and offer sponsorship. The issue of the special pardon hadn¡¯t settled down yet, and the impeachment meeting against the teacher was still ongoing; it wasn¡¯t out of the question that someone might use Gu Shen as a ¡°breakthrough¡±... After all, some people hiding in the shadows are unimaginably wicked, and one must be cautious. Nan Jin watched the car disappear into the rain and dialed a number. ¡°Brother Zhong... I saw a suspicious vehicle at Gu Shen¡¯s orphanage, the license plate number is...¡± ... ... It was a close call; they had narrowly escaped disaster. Gu Shen exchanged a look with the tortoiseshell cat and let out a long sigh of relief. Although he knew the matter wasn¡¯t over yet, he couldn¡¯t help but laugh. Han Dang had been deceived into going to the apartment. With his abilities, sneaking into his own room wasn¡¯t difficult. Once he realized the ¡°Truth Ruler¡± wasn¡¯t in its usual spot, his own lies would be exposed. He would surely realize then that he had been deceived. But by that time... it would be too late. At that time, no matter how furious Han Dang became, he would have no chance to catch Nan Jin alone. ¡°Phew... That was really dangerous just now...¡± Gu Shen didn¡¯t know whether to feel relieved or frightened. In the ¡°Truth¡± Dream, he hadn¡¯t suffered any harm, all thanks to Han Dang¡¯s personality, a weirdo who pursued perfection and loved to play roles. This encounter came too suddenly, catching him completely off guard. He wondered if, knowing about Han Dang¡¯s presence in advance... could he escape from him using the Truth Ruler? ¡°From what it seems, your chances of escaping from Han Dang are very low.¡± Chu Ling seemed to have the Mind Reading Technique, a glint flashed in her eyes as she immediately guessed his thoughts, ¡°If you risk your life using the Truth Ruler, the highest chance you have to escape is 1%.¡± ¡°...That low?¡± Gu Shen was no longer surprised by Chu Ling¡¯s Mind Reading Technique, but the calculated probability made him give a bitter smile. One percent. That was still the highest probability. But the next moment, Gu Shen came to terms with it. He remembered the records stating that Han Dang was a super-powerful transcendent on the same level as Senior Sister Luo, a young leader who could stand alone at the Judgement Institute. He hadn¡¯t even awakened his Transcendent ability... Thinking about confronting Han Dang was still too premature. Gu Shen circulated his Shock Awakening Technique, adjusted his mindset, and calmly collected himself. He really didn¡¯t want to experience that feeling in the ¡°Truth¡± Dream, where seconds felt like years, ever again... He suddenly understood why Nan Jin was so desperate. The confrontation with Extraordinary Abilities was extremely dangerous, and the weak were like fish on the chopping block. He would rather exhaust himself every day in strenuous training than feel the helplessness of being manipulated in the ¡°Truth¡± again. ¡°Xiao Gu, that Mr. Xiao Han really is a good person.¡± The old lady flicked the check, unable to suppress her laughter, ¡°Someone as wealthy and generous as him is probably rare in Da Teng City... I kept praising you earlier, and it seems to have been quite effective. Mr. Xiao Han said he felt an instant connection with you; perhaps you could become friends?¡± ¡°Friends...¡± Gu Shen found the idea somewhat amusing. Even when dispelling the dream, Han Dang didn¡¯t forget to implant hypnosis... If it were a different setting, would he have been killed directly by the ¡°Truth¡±? He couldn¡¯t be friends with this kind of person. ¡°Mr. Xiao Han indeed is a good person.¡± Since Han Dang had staged such a play, Gu Shen could only go along with it, ¡°But after all, he is still a stranger.¡± He did not want his grandmother to continue having any contact with Han Dang. ¡°We can¡¯t rely on him. If we face any difficulties in the future, let me handle them.¡± Gu Shen smiled, ¡°I forgot to tell you, I got a scholarship of five hundred thousand this time.¡± ¡°How... how much?¡± The old lady was momentarily stunned. ¡°Five hundred thousand?¡± ¡°Five, hundred, thousand.¡± Gu Shen chuckled; he had the same reaction when he first saw the balance on the card. ¡°Grandma, didn¡¯t you always say I would achieve something? Here I am, achieving it now! I wasn¡¯t just talking when I said I would take care of all the expenses here; I meant it!¡± The old lady¡¯s eyes moistened. She could hardly believe that the large sum of money Gu Shen spoke of turned out to be this substantial. ¡°No, I can¡¯t take this money. Keep it.¡± She had just begun to speak. ¡°The research institute provides food, lodging, and job placement. I have a car, a house, and a job.¡± Gu Shen quickly grasped the old lady¡¯s hand, ¡°I am living very well! Alright, alright, take this money and don¡¯t worry... There¡¯s an emergency at the other side, I have to go now!¡± He swiftly moved through the rain curtain, holding the cat and pulling Nan Jin along, and the two of them dashed back to the car. Chapter 35 - 35 33 Picking Up from the Airport ?35: Chapter 33 Picking Up from the Airport 35: Chapter 33 Picking Up from the Airport The car started, and Gu Shen finally let out a sigh of relief. He knew his grandmother too well. If he didn¡¯t make a quick escape, she would definitely find a way to shove the money back at him. ¡°Leaving in such a hurry?¡± Nan Jin asked faintly, ¡°Why not stay a bit longer... I think those people were quite nice to you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I had to rush off,¡± Gu Shen laughed and said, ¡°Do you understand? Longing for family affects my ability to roam the world!¡± Nan Jin took off her black-rimmed glasses and rolled her eyes at Gu Shen, clearly unamused. After leaving the orphanage, she was no longer the understanding big sister. She put her sunglasses back on, reverting to the cold and ruthless Nan Jin. ¡°The review is imminent... I¡¯m really not in the mood. I¡¯d rather go back to training as soon as possible, to improve even by a little,¡± Gu Shen said with a bitter smile, murmuring, ¡°After the review is over, there should be plenty of time to see them, right?¡± ¡°...¡± Nan Jin was silent for a while, then admitted honestly, ¡°The Judgement Institute has many routine tasks, and it¡¯s very busy. You might often be on business trips, traveling across the East Continent. However, there are also specific tasks that require the executor to stay in a city for an extended period... Your time will only become more limited, but you¡¯ll no longer have to worry about money. The council¡¯s subsidy for you is definitely generous.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Gu Shen smiled, ¡°Since ancient times, money and leisure have been mutually exclusive. If my grandmother knew I could make so much money, she¡¯d probably praise me for being successful, right?¡± ¡°Maybe all your grandmother wants is for you to spend more time with her?¡± Nan Jin always liked to puncture the truth. Seeing that Gu Shen fell silent, she changed the subject, ¡°But now is indeed not the time. Do you remember the car that was parked in front of the orphanage just now?¡± Gu Shen¡¯s expression became serious as he was taken aback. Had Nan Jin noticed it too... He slowly nodded. ¡°There¡¯s something off about that car, it might have been targeting you. Did you have any contact with the person inside just now?¡± Nan Jin asked sharply, ¡°I¡¯ve already notified Brother Zhong and the others to investigate... The day after tomorrow is the review, and you absolutely can¡¯t have any accidents in these two days.¡± Was she suspecting that someone might attempt to assassinate him? That was indeed the most logical first reaction and judgment. Unfortunately, Nan Jin did not know that he had already clashed with that person... The dangers faced were even greater than the previous assassination attempt. ¡°There was a brief encounter in the yard, I found him quite suspicious too,¡± Gu Shen scratched his head, pretending to be confused: ¡°The gentleman¡¯s surname is Han, always smiling, looking young but wealthy, very generous, he donated a hundred thousand in one go.¡± ¡°Surname Han? Always smiling?¡± Upon hearing this, Nan Jin immediately thought of Han Dang, whom Brother Zhong had mentioned. That was a seriously dangerous Spiritual Extraordinary. Her expression turned grave, ¡°Did he say anything to you? Or have any physical contact?¡± ¡°Ah...¡± Gu Shen¡¯s face was a picture of confusion, feigning effort to remember, he muttered, ¡°I can¡¯t quite recall... Oh, I remember now, he mentioned he would visit me in Da Teng City.¡± Nan Jin immediately called Zhong Wei¡¯s phone. ... ... A moderate rain had fallen on Da Teng City. Clouds shrouded the sky. A young man and woman, sharing an umbrella, stood isolated in the empty expanse of the airport apron, rain splashing onto the ground, bouncing up, yet not a single drop stained their clothes. It was as if an invisible barrier of wind kept the rain at bay. Carrying the umbrella was merely a measure to make their images appear less bizarre. ¡°In thirteen minutes, the review team will land.¡± Luo Er gently spoke, her expression complicated. Due to the heavy rain, the review team¡¯s plane was about an hour late, and they had been waiting in the rain curtain for an hour. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve been alone with Senior Sister.¡± Zhong Wei chuckled softly, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for this special training, how much longer were you planning to avoid me?¡± He and Luo Er were Mr. Shu¡¯s earliest disciples, and counting from the year they entered the Judgement Institute, they had known each other for ten years. ¡°I wasn¡¯t avoiding you.¡± Luo Er sighed, ¡°The tasks at the Judgement Institute are just too busy. Teacher is overstretched, and whenever an incident involving Extraordinary Power beyond level A arises, the only person who can handle it is me.¡± ¡°Maybe you could call me next time, I could help... We¡¯ve been partners for so long.¡± Zhong Wei, feeling helpless, added, ¡°I don¡¯t have any other intentions... I just... want to help you, I don¡¯t want to see you dealing with highly dangerous and out-of-control incidents alone.¡± Luo Er opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m quite thankful to Gu Shen. If it weren¡¯t for this ¡®S¡¯ grade newcomer, when would our next meeting be? Would we still be alive by then?¡± Zhong Wei held an umbrella with one hand, while he raised the other, inserting five fingers into the curtain of rain, not holding back his Extraordinary Power. The next instant, a fierce wind burst forth, spinning and shredding a large swath of rain in front of him. ¡°Do you remember what teacher said, that those who awaken to Transcendent power have taken the crown into their own hands, and have also sent themselves on a road of no return. Beneath Changye Qingzhong rests countless uncounted bones, and I sure don¡¯t want to meet Senior Sister there one day.¡± (Note 1) ¡°Actually, there¡¯s something I¡¯ve been wanting to tell Senior Sister.¡± He smiled, ¡°I...¡± ¡°Beep beep beep.¡± Phone rings always seem to ring at the most inopportune times. Like when someone is gathering their courage. ¡°Let me take this call...¡± The silent atmosphere was shattered by the ringtone, and Zhong Wei answered with a bitter smile, lowering his gaze and listening quietly. After hanging up the phone. ¡°Was that Nan Jin? Is there an emergency with Gu Shen?¡± Senior Sister Luo asked. ¡°...Not exactly an emergency. Just spotted a suspicious vehicle, I¡¯ll investigate once I¡¯m back.¡± Zhong Wei sighed quietly. The courage he had carefully mustered was interrupted by the call. Thus, both of them fell silent. The look on Senior Sister Luo¡¯s face seemed somewhat frustrated as she watched the rain, saying, ¡°When exactly are those guys from the review team going to arrive?¡± This time, her task was to receive the review team, and to coax as much information as possible from them. About the internal assessment of Gu Shen by the review team. And... most importantly, the review content specifically prepared for ¡®S¡¯ grade! Zhong Wei took several deep breaths, regaining his courage, ¡°Senior Sister, about that...¡± ¡°Ding ling ling!¡± The phone rang once again. Zhong Wei couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. Answering the phone for the second time, Zhong Wei¡¯s expression grew progressively more solemn. After hanging up, Senior Sister Luo furrowed her brow, ¡°Nan Jin again?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± After two interruptions, Zhong Wei had completely forgotten what he was about to say. He spoke seriously, ¡°We¡¯ve pretty much confirmed the identity of the owner of that suspicious vehicle... It¡¯s Han Dang.¡± ... ... Chapter 36 - 36 33 Audit Group Arriving! ?36: Chapter 33: Audit Group, Arriving! 36: Chapter 33: Audit Group, Arriving! Han Dang¡¯s arrival in Da Teng City was hardly a surprise. It was just the kind of thing he could pull off. Without a second thought, it was clear that he was here to dig deeply into the fire case, aiming to use the amnesty decree as leverage to bring down the impeached teacher. ¡°He really chased after us all the way here; he¡¯s truly a dangerous character,¡± said Zhong Wei, recapping the phone¡¯s content, ¡°Senior Sister said he might visit Gu Shen¡¯s residence.¡± Senior Sister Luo nodded. ¡°Interesting... Han Dang is known as a mad dog. Those he targets, even if they don¡¯t die, will not come out unscathed,¡± she said lightly, ¡°Yet somewhat Gu Shen met him face to face and remained completely unharmed. How can there be such a coincidence in the world? Such lucky individuals?¡± Gu Shen was an incredible individual. Since the A-009 incident, his journey was full of ups and downs. Just by looking at his files, one could get the illusion, ¡®How is this guy so lucky?¡¯ At every dangerous turn, he was somehow able to turn danger into safety, leveraging his sheer luck. But in reality, there was no absolute luck. ¡°There must be a secret with Xiao Gu,¡± said Zhong Wei softly, ¡°You could see it during his special training; the scene of the fire incident on the rooftop did not seem like it was created with his extraordinary ability.¡± ¡°Yes. But secrets... who doesn¡¯t have them?¡± Senior Sister Luo smiled, her gaze however, remained outside the umbrella, lost in the layers of dark rain clouds, ¡°Anyone who enters the Judgement Institute, no matter how ordinary, harbors secrets of transcendence... At least in this era, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s put aside the matter of the mad dog for now.¡± Senior Sister Luo took a deep breath and looked up to the sky, ¡°After all the calls and summonses, the most troublesome ones have finally arrived.¡± Tonight, there was yet another tough battle to face. A deep rumbling of aircraft engines resounded through the sky. In the curtain of rain, thunder flashed. A heavy helicopter tore through the rain curtain, slowly approaching. Its blades penetrated the clouds and rain like a ferocious monster bathed in Thunder Light, the helicopter was three to four times the size of a regular civilian one. ¡°This flight came all the way from Da Du; it really is different,¡± Zhong Wei watched the helicopter slowly descend with a deadpan expression, scoffed, ¡°They really have money.¡± The thick cabin glass was wiped by someone. Someone seated by the window was wiping the glass, waving enthusiastically at the two waiting below. They appeared very warm, but the heavy rain made it hard to see the face. This was somewhat unexpected to both Luo Er and Zhong Wei... Logically, the scrutiny at this time should be severe. The meeting to confirm the inspection personnel, together with the teacher¡¯s impeachment meeting, being held in one go showed from the complex proceedings within the East Continent Council and the power struggles, that those who would finally participate in the screening were likely to be renowned for their ruthlessness and stoic demeanor! Those with personal relationships or financial ties to the... }]; teacher, might be excluded by the council for reasons of conflict of interest. Who was this enthusiastic guy wiping the glass? ¡°Senior Sister... I¡¯m a bit nervous.¡± The helicopter had landed. As the doors of the helicopter slowly opened, Zhong Wei whispered, ¡°What if these guys are tough nut to crack and outright ignore us?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll just have to play it by ear,¡± Luo Er stood upright, calmly said, ¡°Our task is simple; to tease out the council¡¯s inspection tendencies from these guys, minimize obstacles for Gu Shen as much as possible, and if we can unearth the final content of the review, then it¡¯s a complete victory. These folks might not give us face, but would they not give the teacher face? Don¡¯t forget... the powerful individual behind the amnesty decree is closely watching this matter, and his assistant is also on that plane.¡± The wind and rain roared. The two stood tall like pines, ready to receive the iron-blood inspection team as they landed. However, after the helicopter landed, though the blades roared and the cabin opened, no one appeared for a while. No one showed up. Absolute silence. ¡°What¡¯s going on...¡± Luo Er frowned, utterly puzzled. The cabin had opened, did that signal... for them to go over? Zhong Wei stared at the helicopter, his expression turning strange. The person sitting by the window of the helicopter cabin was still waving at them through the glass. ¡°Senior Sister, look at that person...¡± Zhong Wei pointed with a finger at the rain-blurred glass and murmured, ¡°Doesn¡¯t he look familiar?¡± ... ... The space inside the heavy helicopter was very spacious, enough for several big men to sit comfortably. Outside the window was the crackling heavy rain. Inside, a soft light illuminated the cabin, lazy jazz music played, and several bottles of champagne with their corks popped rested on a folded table. Upon boarding first, Zhong Wei was completely dumbstruck by the scene inside the cabin. He suspected he had been hypnotized. Zhong Wei could hardly believe what he saw. Indeed, sitting in the cabin was a luxurious top-tier review team. At first glance, he could see two heavyweights, one hailed by the people of Yinghai District as the ¡°Duke of Law,¡± the Grand Judge, and the other a famously ruthless and cold Judgment Chief from the Redwood District. Both prominent figures were now glaring at each other ferociously... over a small table. Two symbolic bottles of champagne were placed on the table, but otherwise, it was crowded with large cups of white beer, most of which were empty after several rounds of fierce drinking. What was most unbelievable was that, sitting at the very center of the ruthless audit team, was a man dressed in an unremarkable Zhongshan suit with his hair meticulously upright. ¡°Sit.¡± Mr. Shu laughed heartily, gesturing for his beloved disciple to come in and squeeze in. ¡°What the hell... what is this situation?¡± Zhong Wei was flabbergasted, wondering how his teacher could appear in such a place? Riding up next, Luo Er was also startled by the scene, a gathering of East Continent¡¯s staunch legal giants drinking and tossing dice ¡ª an entirely different scene from what he had imagined. ¡°The impeachment hearing aimed at me had just concluded. I caught this flight by chance and made a few friends along the way.¡± The teacher, with a huge pipe in his mouth, sprayed smoke around the cabin, partially obscuring his face. He laughed boisterously, ¡°All thanks to Mr. Xiao Cui¡¯s help...¡± It was only then that Zhong Wei and Luo Er noticed another man, quite out of place, sitting in the most secluded corner, quietly reading a newspaper. This man was too unremarkable. Sitting in the corner, he was like a faint shadow. Everyone would subconsciously ignore him. The reason was simple. His appearance, facial features, and demeanor were all too ordinary, so ordinary that they could be described as having no distinctiveness at all, which was not an exaggeration... The only thing memorable on his face was a monocle hanging in front of his right eye. And maybe also the humble smile that was always present at the corners of his mouth. This man seemed like an ember leftover from a bygone era. There was nothing ¡°new¡± about him. From his hair to his shoelaces, although very neat, one glance would make one think of words like ¡®old¡¯ and ¡®retro¡¯... and a few more glances would convince you that he must be a very dull person. But at this moment. The title ¡°Mr. Xiao Cui¡± seemed to have magical power, making the bigwigs of the review team all lift their heads, and even the drunken haze in their eyes seemed to dissipate somewhat. All eyes fell to the back of the cabin. ¡°Gentlemen, no need to look at me like that, and don¡¯t be nervous...¡± Mr. Xiao Cui smiled, seemingly unaffected by those gazes, engrossed in his newspaper as always, but now he softly said, ¡°Thanks to Elder Zhao, we can work together. It¡¯s difficult to meet since we¡¯re from different places. Before discussing business, having a drink and catching up isn¡¯t unreasonable.¡± With these words, the atmosphere in the cabin finally relaxed. ¡°Thanks to Elder Zhao... ¡± Luo Er and Zhong Wei exchanged glances, seeming to understand something. The teacher landing in Da Teng City with the audit team meant the outcomes of those two meetings were already finalized. The East Continent Nine Districts had a total of twenty council seats, occupied by individuals who each held significant power, and among those twenty seats, there was a hierarchy of influence. The Dadu District was the core area of the Jiangnan Four Districts. And ¡°Elder Zhao¡± was the one standing at the highest echelon of Dadu District. Chapter 37 - 37 35 Dream Interpretation ?37: Chapter 35 Dream Interpretation 37: Chapter 35 Dream Interpretation Rumor had it that the format of the hearing was very stern. The rumor was true, and all who came were the famous Cold-faced vanguards. Yet, the scene inside the cabin was surprisingly merry, with all the legal pioneers gathered, drinking and playing games cheerfully, more like a vacationing senior tour group enjoying the sunset years. If this auditing group was acting on Elder Zhao¡¯s wishes, did that mean the upcoming audit would be approached seriously but resolved lightly? Luo Er and Zhong Wei felt a chill in their hearts... they dared not ask more. ¡°It¡¯s about time for me to go,¡± Mr. Shu said with a smile, tilting his head back to drain the wine from his glass, affectionately patted the Grand Judge beside him, drunk as a lord, ¡°Mr. Tang, your drinking capacity is really something, we must do this again!¡± He rose to his feet, staggering out of the cabin, raised his arms, and Luo Er and Zhong Wei quickly came forward to support their mentor, leaving the noisy, bustling cabin. The cold rain that pelted their faces somewhat sobered them up. ¡°Teacher...¡± Luo Er began, she had too many questions. ¡°The content of the day after tomorrow¡¯s hearing is ¡®Dream Interpretation,''¡± Mr. Shu¡¯s voice suddenly became very sober, not at all like that of a drunkard. He said coldly, ¡°The old folks in this auditing group are not as simple as you think. Where is Gu Shen, let¡¯s set off first, and discuss it on the way.¡± ... ... The black, old-fashioned business car drove through the rainy night. Zhou Jiren leaned back in the back seat, his cheeks still flushed with the influence of alcohol, tugged at the collar of his neck, feeling uncomfortable however he adjusted it, so he yanked it loose vigorously. From the moment he attended his own impeachment meeting in Da Du District until now, he had been wearing a properly fitted Zhongshan suit. The residual drunkenness was as sharp as a knife. Usually, he exuded a spring-like warmth, but when serious and silent, Mr. Shu resembled an underground boss marked ¡°Do Not Disturb,¡± formidable and fearsome. ¡°The matter of the ¡®pardon¡¯ has stirred up a lot of trouble and worried you all.¡± He closed his eyes and stretched his arms, slowly metabolizing the alcohol, then apologized to his two proud disciples. ¡°Everything is over!¡± Zhou Jiren said with a hearty laugh, ¡°You really should have seen the impeachment hearing in Da Du; it was extremely interesting. People spoke on my behalf one after another, and the situation looked very favorable, but when it came to the secret ballot, these same people showed their true colors, overwhelmingly crushing the non-impeachment side. Since they were eager to see me fall, why didn¡¯t they dare to come forward and openly state their intentions?¡± The driver, Zhong Wei, said, ¡°They didn¡¯t dare.¡± The lion might be old, but it still remains a lion. ¡°Zhao Xilai did me a big favor. Because no one dared to come forward, he exercised a veto vote.¡± The teacher reminisced about the scene at the impeachment meeting, lowering his voice to imitate, ¡°¡®Since everyone wishes Zhou Jiren not to be dismissed, the voting result doesn¡¯t matter anymore¡¯¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s a pity you weren¡¯t there to see it; the expressions on the faces of those who had spoken for me earlier were spectacular.¡± He couldn¡¯t help laughing, his face full of mockery, ¡°Zhao Xilai is no simple old man either. He doesn¡¯t want me to be impeached, not because he admires me or because of our friendship, but simply because there¡¯s no one more suitable than me for the position of the Grand Judge of the Judgement Institute.¡± This rationale. Both Zhong Wei and Luo Er actually understood it. Since its establishment, the Judgement Institute had attracted a large number of geniuses, a plethora of transcendentally powerful individuals... These people had resolved numerous troubles for the council and settled countless transcendental incidents, but the person sitting in the highest position was not judged by strength alone. If the Grand Judge could unite everyone inside the Judgement Institute, then his ¡°influence¡± would become too great to control, and the council did not want to see that happen. The most uncontrollable people gathered together, controlled by one person. There is no doubt that the position of the council would be greatly threatened. Thus, the ideal candidate for the position of the Grand Judge of the Judgement Institute was someone who was extraordinarily capable yet isolated by many. ¡°Zhao Xilai is very clear about that; in East Continent, it¡¯s hard to find someone like me even if you searched with a lantern...¡± Zhou Jiren stretched lazily and mocked himself with a faint smile, ¡°Decades of fighting have been devoted solely to the continent and its people. I had long run out of friends at the Judgement Institute, and the few students I took on were all five-star labor models who only knew how to work doggedly. With me removed and someone else taking over, who knows what storms will be stirred up.¡± Luo Er sighed softly upon hearing this. She said, ¡°But isn¡¯t that what the Judgement Institute is supposed to do?¡± ¡°There are too many messy affairs in East Continent, and I won¡¯t go into details to spare you the headache,¡± the teacher said, massaging his temples. ¡°Zhao Xilai vetoed the impeachment against me and at the same time appointed a strictly disciplined audit team, just to balance the resentment of those people.¡± ¡°It seemed like you got along well with them on the plane just now...teacher?¡± Zhong Wei asked tentatively. ¡°Nonsense.¡± Mr. Shu laughed, ¡°The craftier and insidious they are, the more they keep a calm facade, all smiles. If they are unflappable, that might not be a bad thing. When the time comes, we simply let Gu Shen charge forward in true combat, fair and square, reasonable and justified. But in light of Zhao Xilai¡¯s assistant¡¯s presence, we shared the same flight for six hours, with three rounds of drinks, yet not a single useful word was spilled. The only hint about the audit was ¡®Dream Interpretation¡¯...¡± ¡°But...what the heck is the use of knowing only ¡®Dream Interpretation¡¯? Who knows what bizarre dreams they will pull out!¡± He seemed distressed. ¡°This group are ruthless people who have studied Gu Shen¡¯s file dozens of times. The rooftop case was sent to Deep Sea for analysis, and Deep Sea considers Gu Shen to be a Transcendent of the Spiritual type, so the audit team decided to test only Gu Shen¡¯s Spiritual Potential.¡± Luo Er and Zhong Wei furrowed their brows. Just as expected! Things were not as simple as they had thought. This group was not playing by the rules at all... The results of the special training over the past few days were practically nullified, but looking at Gu Shen¡¯s results, it might not necessarily be a bad thing. If the audit team really were to assess physical aspects like strength and stamina, the situation would only be worse. Gu Shen could very well set an ¡°unprecedented¡± record in the audit. ¡°Among the deceased Transcendents, one was a heavy striker with enhanced torso, and Deep Sea believes that Gu Shen might be hiding powerful strength maneuvers,¡± Mr. Shu laughed, ¡°Therefore, the audit team only measured Spiritual Potential, intentionally avoiding Gu Shen¡¯s other aspects elevating the score.¡± ¡°That should be considered good news. However, Gu¡¯s Spiritual Potential...¡± Zhong Wei¡¯s expression showed worry; he hesitated a bit and diplomatically said, ¡°Teacher, Gu might not be as gifted as you imagine.¡± Mr. Shu raised an eyebrow, ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°I brought him into the Jingzhe Dream,¡± Luo Er straightforwardly stated. ¡°It took him four hours and thirty-nine minutes to complete comprehension, which is not too bad, but far from the S level of the Spiritual type.¡± Mr. Shu smiled and inquired, ¡°Indeed, that is a very mediocre performance. What about other aspects?¡± ¡°Based on the special training these past few days, if I were to give a rating, Gu¡¯s physical fitness would be about D+, and his strength and speed are close to E,¡± Zhong Wei shook his head, being brutally honest, ¡°His spiritual power is better, perhaps B+. Overall, the evaluation would at most be a C.¡± Mr. Shu maintained his calm demeanor, seemingly unsurprised by any of it. Senior Sister Luo suggested, ¡°I have a theory... Gu Shen might not be a normal three-type Transcendent, therefore normal ratings do not apply to him.¡± Mr. Shu narrowed his eyes. He chuckled softly, ¡°You mean... Gu Shen might be a trait-type?¡± ¡°I can only say... we cannot rule out this possibility.¡± Luo Er struggled a bit before stating earnestly, ¡°The ¡®Fire Stealer¡¯ from Central Continent, isn¡¯t he able to steal others¡¯ Extraordinary Powers? Trait-type capabilities are still a blank spot on the Transcendent Genealogy Map, yet to be fully explored. This audit shouldn¡¯t only test Spiritual Potential, it¡¯s unfair to Gu Shen.¡± ¡°We can¡¯t obtain those conditions, the audit team of elders is only responsible for the audit, not fairness,¡± Zhou Jiren shook his head gravely, ¡°They came from various districts of East Continent specifically to conduct this assessment in the most severe manner... Zhao Xilai¡¯s behavior is very strange, he dispatched Cui Zhongcheng to oversee Da Teng City and specifically instructed those old men not to go easy. I don¡¯t understand, does he want Gu Shen to pass the audit, or does he want him to fail?¡± The car fell into brief silence. Later, it was Mr. Shu murmuring to himself, ¡°Perhaps, he simply wants to see whether Gu Shen¡¯s abilities can actually reach the legendary ¡®S¡¯ level or not.¡± Chapter 38 - 38 36 Miracle ?38: Chapter 36: Miracle 38: Chapter 36: Miracle The black sedan drifted through the rainy night and came to a stop at a street corner. Nan Jin glanced at her cellphone and said, ¡°The auditing group has informed us about the situation... Gu Shen, your audit content has been confirmed as ¡®Dream Interpretation.''¡± ¡°Dream Interpretation?¡± Gu Shen was puzzled. ¡°What is that?¡± ¡°In the Judgement Institute, there are a large number of dream realms stored, similar to ¡®Startling Hibernation.''¡± Nan Jin explained, ¡°Humans condense their spiritual power and imprint it in an embodied form onto an object, granting that object the ability to cast dreams. Once someone reads it, they will fall into a dream realm. Dream interpretation, therefore, refers to the act of detaching oneself from the dream realm on their own. Just like the four hours and thirty-nine minutes it took for you to interpret ¡®Startling Hibernation.''¡± ¡°Oh, oh, oh...¡± Gu Shen suddenly understood and asked curiously, ¡°Then, are these items... considered Extraordinary Sealed Objects?¡± ¡°They are and they aren¡¯t, it depends on the strength of the dream carried by the object. Some are so weak they can only make a person yawn; however, a strong dream remnant can easily destroy a person¡¯s spirit, and even a Spiritual Transcendent would struggle to resist.¡± As Nan Jin explained, she squinted her eyes and carefully observed the street outside. The parking spot was not far from Gu Shen¡¯s apartment, and she was watching for any suspicious individuals. Han Dang had arrived in Da Teng City even faster and earlier than herself. Perhaps, he had already reached the surrounding area. ¡°It looks like the auditing group has come prepared. Based on your performance in understanding ¡®Startling Hibernation,¡¯ the situation for the day after tomorrow¡¯s audit does not look optimistic.¡± She whispered, ¡°The teacher has already arrived in Da Teng; he will come to see you later.¡± She opened the car door. Nan Jin took out a key and expertly led Gu Shen to the elevator across from his apartment, taking it directly to the top floor. After that, she used a card to open a room. Gu Shen was surprised, ¡°Ah... is this your place? We live so close to each other?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Nan Jin couldn¡¯t be bothered to engage and gave a nonchalant response. After entering the room, she headed straight for the washroom. Her clothes, soaked from the rain, clung tightly to her body, revealing her curves. Bang! After closing the door, Gu Shen saw a vague, graceful silhouette projected by the dim light in the washroom. His senior sister was taking off her shirt, which he had noticed was quite tight earlier, so it seemed a bit difficult for her to remove... ¡°Meow!¡± The orange cat in his arms scratched him, and Gu Shen suddenly snapped back to reality, quickly turning his head away. Do not view what you shouldn¡¯t, do not view what you shouldn¡¯t. Gu Shen chanted to himself awkwardly and asked, ¡°Senior sister... isn¡¯t this a bit inappropriate?¡± ¡°What¡¯s inappropriate about it?¡± The sound of water stopped, and Nan Jin said indifferently, ¡°Until the audit results are certain, I can¡¯t guarantee your safety. I must be in a position to monitor you at all times. If you lose control by accident, I can act immediately to ensure your corpse remains intact.¡± Gu Shen: ¡°???¡± He had unintentionally touched upon a serious topic. Holding the cat, Gu Shen hurriedly walked to the balcony, pulled back the curtains, and was taken aback. The room was situated directly opposite his apartment and had a high vantage point, allowing a clear view into his own room. With Nan Jin¡¯s sharp vision, she probably had an unobstructed view. So that meant... when he was sunbathing on his balcony that day, was Nan Jin selecting an appropriate residence? Clearly. This room was prepared for surveillance. ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Gu Shen turned his head towards the washroom, angrily saying, ¡°What about my human rights? From this angle... wouldn¡¯t you see everything even when I take a shower?¡± His voice cut off. After a quick rinse, Nan Jin came out wrapped in a white towel, her hands holding her hair, with a white jade hairpin in her mouth. She glanced at Gu Shen and said, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to be seen, remember to draw the curtains next time.¡± The white jade hairpin lifted her red hair. She went into the wardrobe room on her own, her voice drifting out intermittently. ¡°This place now serves as the best location for surveilling Han Dang. If he wants to ¡®visit¡¯ you, he will expose himself in our line of sight. All we need to do is wait here.¡± Gu Shen deflated on the spot. He sighed and said, ¡°You¡¯re right...¡± Half a quarter of an hour later, Nan Jin had changed into a different outfit, no longer the intellectual and gentle big sister from before, but the familiar trench coat and sword ensemble exuding a sharp presence. She seemed like a blade ready to unsheathe at any moment, and when her fingers rested on the hilt of the sword, her entire aura became fierce and intimidating, rendering others unable to look directly at her. ¡°Sister, you look...,¡± Gu Shen began to say but hesitated, only to meet Nan Jin¡¯s chilly gaze and quickly give a thumbs up as he earnestly praised, ¡°truly majestic and impressive.¡± ¡°The teacher will be here soon.¡± Nan Jin unusually offered an explanation, ¡°Besides... Even if there¡¯s no mission, I usually don¡¯t wear casual clothes. Today¡¯s visit to the welfare institute with you was an exception.¡± Perhaps it was because she had seen Gu Shen¡¯s file that she felt a bit softer. For her, this return to the welfare institute was extremely important to Gu Shen. She didn¡¯t want to mess it up. And dressing up as Gu Shen¡¯s senior in combat gear and carrying a sword would have been too inappropriate. ¡°Alright, alright, I get it... The elder brother has been kind to me, and I will surely repay him greatly in the future!¡± Recalling the day¡¯s events, Gu Shen still felt as if it had all been a dream. Not only had he been given a hefty sum of money, but he had also brought back such a beautiful girl to see his grandma. Even though she was his senior, it gave him quite a bit of face! It was just a bit of a pity. Chu Ling was nowhere to be found. If next time, he brought Chu Ling to meet his grandma, what would her reaction be? As Gu Shen pondered this, his cheek was brushed by the tail of the orange cat. He thought his thoughts had been seen through again, but when he looked down, he noticed the goofy cat had already laid down in his arms, lazily asleep, probably exhausted from the entire day¡¯s hustle. Chu Ling had already disconnected the link. The orange cat emitted deep purring sounds from its throat. Gu Shen gently set the cat down and, after thinking for a long time, said softly, ¡°Actually... if the day after tomorrow¡¯s evaluation involves ¡®Dream Interpretation,¡¯ I think I might do quite well.¡± He confessed seriously. ¡°I believe I can pass.¡± But Nan Jin couldn¡¯t understand where Gu Shen¡¯s confidence was coming from. ¡°Having ¡®Dream Interpretation¡¯ as an assessment... should be considered a stroke of luck among misfortunes.¡± She glanced at the sleeping orange cat, spoke in a hushed tone, and with a hint of a headache, she expressed her concern, ¡°Compared to other areas... your spiritual power indeed is a strong point. But you have no idea how difficult it is to achieve an ¡®S¡¯ rating in ¡®Dream Interpretation.¡¯ Based on your last ¡®Awakening of Insects¡¯ Dream Interpretation that nearly took five hours... facing the evaluation panel¡¯s challenge is almost impossible.¡± She glanced at her watch again. It was past midnight. Only one day was left before the evaluation. ¡°Especially since... there¡¯s less than a day left now, unless a miracle occurs,¡± Nan Jin sighed anxiously for someone, looking at Gu Shen, whose calm demeanor had a trace of naivety, feeling somewhat frustrated at his lack of concern. How could he be so utterly unconcerned? She didn¡¯t understand. ¡°For the ¡®Awakening of Insects¡¯ Dream Interpretation, I actually only took fifteen minutes...¡± Gu Shen murmured quietly to himself. This secret could not be spoken aloud and had to be kept deep in his heart. ¡°But the teacher is a very miraculous person; he always manages to create various miracles,¡± Nan Jin consoled Gu Shen, ¡°When he arrives, there will surely be a way.¡± No sooner had she finished speaking, when a sedan came speeding through the view outside the window, hurtling through the rainy night and spraying countless droplets of water, then made a clean drift and parked neatly downstairs. The elderly man in a mandarin jacket got out of the car and looked up immediately, his gaze locking directly onto the room where Gu Shen was. Mr. Shu showed a smile warm as a spring breeze. And for some reason, the moment Gu Shen saw him... something in his heart genuinely fell into place. That feeling was named reassurance. Chapter 39 - 39 37 The Big Shot ?39: Chapter 37 The Big Shot 39: Chapter 37 The Big Shot ¡°My dear S-level!¡± After Mr. Shu pushed the door open, he gave Gu Shen a big hug. Then, he noticed the cat sprawling asleep, showing its belly, in the room and whispered softly, ¡°Yo ho ho... there¡¯s another cutie here.¡± He stretched out his hand and gestured for silence with a ¡°shh¡± sign to Luo Er and Zhong Wei who were entering the room behind him. The teacher really is a careful person... Seeing this gesture, the two people behind him couldn¡¯t help but smile helplessly, quietly closing the door. The group moved to another quiet bedroom. ... ... ¡°The overall situation is roughly like this.¡± Splitting up and reconvening, both sides exchanged detailed intelligence. ¡°Han Dang... is indeed a dangerous individual.¡± Luo Er, with one hand pulling back the curtain, glanced at the apartment opposite to Gu Shen¡¯s and said seriously, ¡°Now that I am watching him, there won¡¯t be any accidents. The review day is just one day away... The priority now is to solve Gu Shen¡¯s Dream Interpretation issue.¡± Seeing his Senior Brother and Senior Sister all anxious for him, Gu Shen felt somewhat embarrassed, but since he had chosen to play dumb... he had to keep it up until the very end. He smiled awkwardly. ¡°To my knowledge, the Judgement Institute has stored over three thousand seven hundred Dreamscapes.¡± Luo Er looked towards the teacher and spoke slowly, ¡°Most of them are used for Cultivation to sharpen spiritual power. The ones with low difficulty can be unraveled in three to five minutes... But the ones with high difficulty, it¡¯s not just a matter of time.¡± ¡°If one¡¯s talent is insufficient, they cannot comprehend the Dream. Even if they spend a month, a year, they can¡¯t complete the Dream Interpretation...¡± She frowned and said, ¡°Yet, faced with the same Dreamscape, a person with exceptional talent might just need an hour.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry about the Dream Interpretation matter.¡± Mr. Shu said with a smile, ¡°You three have worked hard these days. I, as your teacher, can¡¯t just stand by and watch. Today is the last day before the review... You don¡¯t need to work any further. Relax and take a break, consider it a holiday for yourselves.¡± With these words from the teacher, everyone¡¯s expressions visibly relaxed. That¡¯s the kind of person Mr. Shu is. If one day the sky were to fall, and he said he could hold it up, then he definitely would. So when he said not to worry about the Dream Interpretation matter, Luo Er, Zhong Wei, and Nan Jin, despite still feeling anxious, deep down they truly weren¡¯t as worried as before. ¡°Very good.¡± Seeing the slight changes in the expressions of his students, Mr. Shu was satisfied: ¡°Alright, it¡¯s getting late... You¡¯ve all worked hard for a day, have a good night¡¯s sleep and rest.¡± Then he slapped Gu Shen heavily on the shoulder and laughed: ¡°You, come with me!¡± ... ... The rain had stopped. The wind was still strong. The cold wind hammered against the narrow walls, howling through the stairwell, Gu Shen braved the wind and followed Mr. Shu upward... Just ahead was the rooftop of the apartment building, which Mr. Shu kicked open. The metal door clanged loudly, greeting them with a cold, rust-laden breeze. ¡°Alright.¡± Mr. Shu exhaled a long breath, his face showing no trace of having drunk alcohol. He stood at the top of the apartment building, hands on the railing. Gu Shen followed suit and looked down. Just one glance was enough to make him feel dizzy. Because they were up more than thirty stories high, and it was midnight, the world below was still bustling. In the distance, below them, vast swathes of neon lights flowed, with screens still showing images of joy and laughter. The late-night revelers on the streets, under the brilliant lights, appeared like tiny grains of sand. The rooftop was enveloped in silence, with only the sound of the wind. ¡°Actually, it was just to find an environment to be alone with you... There probably isn¡¯t a more suitable place than the rooftop, right?¡± Mr. Shu no longer looked down upon the bustling crowd below but turned his back, leaning against the railing, and smiled, ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, for dragging you into the Judgement Institute before you could even understand the situation... causing you to deal with so much trouble.¡± ¡°...¡± Gu Shen opened his mouth but couldn¡¯t say anything. His expression suddenly became complicated. Deep down, Gu Shen did hold a bit of a grudge against Mr. Shu. Whether it was Nan Jin, Brother Zhong, or Senior Sister Luo, they all called him ¡°Teacher,¡± but he himself just couldn¡¯t do it. Looking back on the whole incident... he had been unwittingly drawn into a Transcendent event, followed by a series of ¡°no other choices¡±: joining the Judgement Institute, undergoing special training, preparing for an audit, dealing with Han Dang... All of this happened so fast, and amidst Gu Shen¡¯s struggling, he always thought back to the old man in the Zhongshan suit who had given him the note that night. If given another chance, would he still dial that number? After Mr. Shu apologized, Gu Shen suddenly realized... he had nothing to say. Those little grudges had already become murmurs that needed not be spoken. The man had saved his life and went to great lengths to secure a special pardon for him... This was someone who truly cared for him, and Gu Shen could clearly distinguish that. So he waved his hand dismissively and said in a low voice, ¡°You don¡¯t need to be so formal.¡± After all, having taken so much money... to consider it as... ¡°To consider it as... taking someone¡¯s money to ward off their disasters.¡± The old man chuckled softly, ¡°That must be what you¡¯re thinking, right?¡± ¡°Truly cunning with age...¡± Gu Shen muttered under his breath, then seriously said, ¡°Although I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re so confident, you should still prepare for the worst for tomorrow¡¯s audit.¡± ¡°Ah ha...¡± That seemed to be the old man¡¯s habitual catchphrase. He asked indifferently, ¡°Do you think you won¡¯t pass the audit?¡± It was Gu Shen¡¯s turn to laugh this time. He couldn¡¯t help himself as he pointed to himself and asked, ¡°Do you think I can pass the audit?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± ¡°You are an S-class... the S-class I have set my sights on!¡± Mr. Shu slowly looked towards the young man, his voice light, but it thundered in Gu Shen¡¯s ears: ¡°You are the only one who could take the Ruler from A-009.¡± Gu Shen stood rooted to the spot, stunned. It was like a bolt from the blue. His mind was blank, completely unsure of what to say. The secret he had been desperately hiding... was lightly and casually revealed by the old man in a single sentence. ¡°No need to say more, I know everything,¡± Mr. Shu said with a chuckle and a meaningful tone: ¡°Since I decided to let you sign that contract... it means that I¡¯ve decided to cover for you. Hmm... ¡®cover¡¯ is a good word, quite appropriate, and even a bit thrilling.¡± ¡°Do you still remember the story I told you before sending you home?¡± The old man briefly recounted it: ¡°A-009 was a member of the Ancient Literature Society, detained after losing control, with a bigwig conducting experiments on her over and over... to find the real cause of her breakdown.¡± Gu Shen had heard the complete version of this story from Chu Ling. What truly caused her breakdown was neither the bone-scalpel nor the old newspaper, but the Ruler hidden in her chest. ¡°That bigwig is called ¡®Zhao Xilai¡¯, and your special pardon came from him,¡± Mr. Shu said softly: ¡°The review board for this audit was also chosen by him.¡± Chapter 40 - 40 38 Showdown ?40: Chapter 38: Showdown 40: Chapter 38: Showdown ¡°Since the establishment of the Judgement Institute, A-009 in East Continent had been transported around for investigation, and Zhao Xilai had always been trying to figure out what caused her loss of control... but the ¡®corrosion ability¡¯ was too problematic, and experiments were difficult to conduct.¡± Mr. Shu took out a cigarette from his pocket, tried to light it, and failed. The wind on the rooftop was strong, the flame had just sparked before it was extinguished. Seeing this, Gu Shen quickly came up to block the wind for him, opening his coat. This time, the elderly man successfully lit it. The swirling smoke was gently exhaled. A gust of wind dispersed it. ¡°As you can see, no shackles can hold A-009,¡± Mr. Shu said, his face enveloped in drifting smoke, seeming to smile. ¡°Whatever material is used, it will be gradually dissolved... No matter how often the prison tools are replaced, dissolution is just a matter of time. Thus, over the years, Zhao Xilai has expended vast resources on this experiment, without any breakthroughs. The only progress was during the observation in a sealed environment, when the researchers saw A-009 remove a boning knife and an old newspaper. They believed these were not to be underestimated as Extraordinary Sealed Objects, which are likely the items causing her self-control failure.¡± Gu Shen looked at the face below the smoke, unable to resist speculating. Why would such a powerful figure be so persistent in investigating A-009¡¯s loss of control? Ancient Literature Society... Allen Turing... old newspapers... A series of keywords flashed through his mind. Allen Turing, who developed Deep Sea and single-handedly linked data across the five continents, had been dead for years. It is said that Allen Turing died of an illness. On the day of his death, the flags of the parliamentary councils were lowered across the five continents, and many people voluntarily took to the streets for his grand funeral. If he remembered correctly, he had not yet been born that year. This Deep Sea Godfather once worked at the ¡°Ancient Literature Society,¡± studying taboo science... but afterwards, there was no more news of the Ancient Literature Society. Following Allen Turing¡¯s death, this mysterious organization disappeared from the world as if it had never existed. Nobody cared because, without the Ancient Literature Society, the world still functioned perfectly well. But clearly, That wasn¡¯t the truth... someone still cared about the Ancient Literature Society, the great figure who issued the special pardon order, had been investigating for over a decade and had not given up. ¡°Wait, A-009... she has never taken out the Ruler in front of outsiders?¡± Gu Shen suddenly realized an important piece of information. ¡°Yes...¡± ¡°Never!¡± Mr. Shu revealed a gratified smile, saying, ¡°At least not in front of them... that is the case.¡± ¡°How did you...¡± Mid-sentence, Gu Shen immediately clammed up. He was very good at gauging people¡¯s reactions and knew what should and shouldn¡¯t be said. He realized that Mr. Shu knew a bit too much about ¡°A-009¡ä¡ä... Could it be that they knew each other before A-009¡¯s loss of control? Curiosity killed the cat. Since Mr. Shu had decided to ¡°cover¡± for him, the cause and effects were no longer important. ¡°Do you want to know?¡± Mr. Shu, as usual, was generous, ¡°I can tell you!¡± ¡°No, no, no, please don¡¯t.¡± Gu Shen hurriedly shook his head and immediately covered his ears. He had previously experienced the old rogue¡¯s methods firsthand. For him at this stage... knowing too much was not a good thing! Seeing this, Mr. Shu couldn¡¯t help but laugh, but as he laughed, his expression grew complex. The elderly man gazed into the distance. This time, he did not press the issue and truly kept quiet. Thus, the rooftop fell silent for a dozen seconds. Humans really are contemptible creatures... as the other party stopped talking, Gu Shen¡¯s curiosity only intensified. Looking at the old fellow¡¯s tight-lipped demeanor, Gu Shen thought long and hard but decided to hold back his barrage of questions. He carefully let go of his hands that were covering his ears and asked earnestly, ¡°So, you¡¯re telling me all this because you want to take back the Ruler?¡± ¡°No.¡± Mr. Shu shook his head. ¡°This Ruler... you keep it. Its name is ¡®Truth Ruler,¡¯ and I assume you already know how to use it.¡± Zhou Jiren looked towards Gu Shen, saying earnestly, ¡°You handled the Transcendent incident on the roof very well. The fights between Transcendents are extremely perilous, and one must be ruthless, without a trace of mercy. If you had harbored any thoughts of sparing your opponent back then, the one dismembered on that rooftop would probably be you.¡± ¡°But there¡¯s one thing you need to be cautious about... the Truth Ruler consumes a lot of spiritual power. Don¡¯t use it lightly unless it¡¯s absolutely necessary. Otherwise...¡± With that, he gave a mischievous laugh. ¡°The feeling of lying in Da Teng Hospital isn¡¯t pleasant, is it?¡± Gu Shen turned pale, deeply understanding the agony of depleting spiritual power. ¡°Since you were able to utilize the ¡®Truth Ruler,¡¯ it indicates that your spiritual power potential isn¡¯t that bad. I¡¯m not wrong about people... You still held something back during the Jingzhe Dream, didn¡¯t you?¡± The old man smiled slyly, ¡°No need to admit or deny, just knowing it yourself is enough. Being able to conceal one¡¯s capabilities is a good thing, but when necessary, you still need to show your edge.¡± Gu Shen felt a chill in his heart. He felt as if he was seen through completely by this old man. What secrets of his own could the other party possibly not know about? Perhaps... only the connection with Chu Ling. ¡°Alright then... since everything has been laid out openly.¡± Gu Shen looked at Mr. Shu, took a deep breath, and said, ¡°Then I have nothing to hide¡ª¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you chose me, I don¡¯t understand why I am ¡®S,¡¯ and since you know everything... then you should also know, I¡¯m definitely not the Transcendent that the Judgement Institute is looking for!¡± This had been a heavy burden on Gu Shen¡¯s mind during the training period. After saying it all at once, he felt much better. Throughout the process, Mr. Shu didn¡¯t utter a word or a letter, just quietly watching Gu Shen. He uncharacteristically didn¡¯t smile, appearing like a serious listener. Waiting for Gu Shen to finish, he slowly asked, ¡°Then... do you wish you were?¡± Gu Shen was stunned. What kind of question was that... What does it mean ¡®do you wish you were¡¯?! Scenes flashed through his mind. Nan Jin could cleave his head from eight hundred meters away, Brother Zhong Wei¡¯s speed exceeded that of a cheetah, and Senior Sister Luo... she was simply divine. Who wouldn¡¯t want to be like them? ¡°I heard about the training ground incident from Zhong Wei... After two weeks of intensive training, you managed to sever a wooden figure with your own strength.¡± Mr. Shu, seeing Gu Shen¡¯s embarrassed look, spoke seriously, ¡°Don¡¯t think that¡¯s nothing; it¡¯s a tremendous achievement! Everything starts from a sapling, and at least this strength is yours alone!¡± He paused, then continued, ¡°Nan Jin¡¯s ability is called ¡®Lan Qie.¡¯ When it was entrusted to me, ¡®Lan Qie¡¯s power couldn¡¯t even sever that wooden figure. It took her ten years to reach today¡¯s level. Nobody is born a genius, a mundane body equal to Gods; everyone in the Judgement Institute, including me, started from zero and grew step by step...¡± ¡°So, Gu Shen... I only have one question for you...¡± The old man looked intently at the young man, speaking once again. ¡°Do you wish you were?¡± The wind howled across the rooftop. The first time, the young man¡¯s voice was not loud, drowned out by the wind. ¡°Yes.¡± Then he paused. The last image in his mind was from the training ground, the moment Senior Sister Luo gazed at him. Gu Shen lifted his head to look at the old man, and the second time, his voice was louder: ¡°Of course!¡± Chapter 41 - 41 39 Sunny Days ?41: Chapter 39 Sunny Days 41: Chapter 39 Sunny Days One day. It can be very short, or it can be very long. This day... for the three individuals rotating on surveillance duty across from Gu Shen¡¯s apartment in the high-rise building, it was a tedious, long twenty-four hours. Moonset and sunrise, sunrise and moonset. ¡°Since the night before last, Teacher disappeared with Gu Shen, and we¡¯ve heard nothing,¡± Zhong Wei said sitting on the windowsill. ¡°It really makes one curious, what could the final training involve?¡± ¡°To be more precise, it was last night, after 12 a.m.¡± Senior Sister Luo corrected quietly as she sipped her coffee. Holding a thick old book, she sat in a rocking chair on the balcony, maintaining the same posture for several hours now. As a Transcendent of the Spiritual kind, she had long integrated breathing techniques into her daily habits, needing only minimal rest to maintain high spirits. In terms of being spiritually refreshed, both Zhong Wei and Nan Jin were far behind. ¡°Speaking of which, we¡¯ve been watching for an entire day now.¡± Nan Jin rubbed her eyes and said, ¡°Han Dang still hasn¡¯t appeared... has he sensed danger?¡± ¡°Han Dang is indeed a very sharp fellow.¡± Luo Er said softly, ¡°Over the past few years, I¡¯ve dealt with him a few times. He is full of cunning schemes and is extremely deceitful. His choice to infiltrate Da Teng City for this investigation means he wouldn¡¯t expose himself easily.¡± ¡°But since he¡¯s here for Gu Shen¡¯s evaluation... at the final moment, he will surely make a move.¡± She flipped through the old book, calm and composed. ¡°Just wait patiently.¡± ... ... ¡°I always feel like there are eyes on me.¡± The crowd was surging. Han Dang changed his usual attire that day, donned sunglasses, a mask, and a duckbill cap, keeping a very low profile. He had been hiding among the crowds, pacing back and forth along the street of Gu Shen¡¯s apartment and each time he was about to enter the building, his heart would thump, an ominous premonition arising. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong...¡± ¡°Very wrong...¡± His intuition was extremely sharp. During his missions, his natural instincts had saved him from numerous dangerous situations several times. ¡°Regarding the real files of Gu Shen¡¯s fire incident... I¡¯ve already submitted it to the review team...¡± he moved closer into a dark alley, completely concealing himself, ¡°logically, I shouldn¡¯t feel so uneasy today. It¡¯s the day of the evaluation, and if he doesn¡¯t have Extraordinary powers, he¡¯ll definitely be exposed... I just need to take that Ruler as evidence.¡± Han Dang sorted out his thoughts. ¡°This kid fell for my hypnosis, he shouldn¡¯t have any awareness.¡± ¡°But this uneasy feeling... where is it coming from?¡± Unable to figure it out, Han Dang shook his head. ¡°Time is limited, I must act quickly now.¡± He took a deep breath. Stepped out of the alley. Entered the building. The moment Han Dang entered the apartment building, Luo Er closed her book. ¡°Prepare for action.¡± She stood up, put on her coat, and quickly walked outside the apartment. ¡°That guy who just entered the apartment... was it Han Dang?¡± Nan Jin was somewhat surprised. She had been tailing him the whole time, but Senior Sister¡¯s gaze had never left the book. How did she do it? A special application of Extraordinary Ability? ¡°I left a ¡®small object¡¯ at the entrance/door of the building... I can feel and sense anyone who gets close instantly. As for Han Dang... I¡¯m very familiar with his scent, I can¡¯t be mistaken,¡± Senior Sister Luo said. ¡°Our encounter with Han Dang might involve a fight. Be careful and just follow me.¡± The three of them quickly descended the stairs and reached the building across. ¡°Wait a minute.¡± Senior Sister Luo halted, her two fingers gliding over a transparent sensor door. With a ¡°swoosh¡±. The next moment, a thin strand of hair appeared between her fingers. After the hair strand was removed, it immediately coiled itself around Senior Sister Luo¡¯s little finger. This strand of hair had always been adhering flat to the sensor door, and unless one inspected inch by inch, it would not be noticed at all. ¡°This is that kind of ¡®small object¡¯.¡± She explained, ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand, this isn¡¯t my hair... but rather is a very special Extraordinary Sealed Object. In a way, it counts as my second eye.¡± ¡°Only one strand?¡± Nan Jin was curious. ¡°Of course...¡± Senior Sister Luo said, ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡± ¡°On the street outside, I¡¯ve set up more than three hundred eyes,¡± she whispered, ¡°Starting from yesterday, there has been a guy following the crowd up and down the street. I¡¯ve suspected him for a long time. And this ¡®eye¡¯ left at the entrance of the apartment is special; within a certain range, it can not only see but also feel the fluctuations of spiritual power.¡± Nan Jin suddenly understood. She felt an unusual airflow moving around her. As Senior Sister spoke, thin strands of hair, barely visible to the naked eye, converged towards Senior Sister Luo from all around, completely unnoticed by the passing people. These spider-thin black hairs eventually merged into her own hair. No matter what, placing the most crucial ¡°eye¡± at the door could never go wrong. ¡°He has just entered the elevator.¡± Senior Sister Luo said calmly, ¡°All we need to do is follow behind, and we will catch him red-handed.¡± ... ... ¡°Knock knock knock¡ª¡± The sound of knocking on the door. A response came quickly: ¡°Come in.¡± He pushed the door slightly. It didn¡¯t open. He tried again. ¡°Creak¡ª¡± A somewhat harsh sound followed. The door opened. To his surprise, what met his gaze was a neatly organized classroom, the windows half-open with the curtains fluttering wildly. The desks and chairs had been removed, leaving behind several arranged in a row to form a long table. Gu Shen rubbed his cheeks, he hadn¡¯t expected this to be the place for the final evaluation. It looked like a stage about to host some sort of social gathering. Every day of the rigorous training, Gu Shen had imagined what the final evaluation he was about to face would be like. The scene in his mind was probably like the last time the Judgment Chief summoned him alone... dim lighting, a cramped interrogation room, and bigwigs with fearsome, scarred faces like Yan Shicheng sitting around. Rather than calling it an evaluation, it was more like a solemn trial. After the conversation on the rooftop, Mr. Shu had spent the last day of the training with him¡ª That day there was no fifteen-kilometer weighted long run, no getting knocked down a hundred times and standing up again for training. There was no training content at all. He merely took him around, visiting various places in Da Teng City. The old man somehow got hold of a flashy luxury car and took him for a spin in the city, ran through over a dozen traffic lights, dined at seven or eight high-end restaurants where Gu Shen couldn¡¯t even pronounce the dishes on the menu. He didn¡¯t want to go anywhere originally, but the old man¡¯s reasoning was unbeatable¡ªhe had come all the way to Da Teng City and wanted to experience the authentic local customs, while at the same time showing Gu Shen what his favorite kind of day looked like. Gu Shen was curious, too, about what the old man¡¯s typical day would be. In fact, it was all about eating, drinking, and playing, as if he were an energetic eighteen-year-old. On the contrary, it was himself who seemed isolated from the world, like an old person in an empty nest about to pass away. When the day ended, Gu Shen lay sprawled out on a luxurious presidential suite bed, the windows open, the cold wind continuously brushing against his face. Between half-asleep and half-awake, he suddenly remembered something. It had been almost two years since he came here. Today was his first time spending a ¡°free¡± day in the city he had lived in for two years, as a tourist. Freedom isn¡¯t about driving the best cars, eating the best food, or living in the best houses. Freedom is not having to worry, not having to think about anything, not having to think at all. During the two weeks of intensive training, every day, every hour, every moment, Gu Shen felt restless. He would wake up in the middle of the night, his thoughts occasionally drifting uncontrollably. The word ¡°evaluation¡± densely filled his mind... To him, this was a trial. But after that talk on the rooftop, Gu Shen suddenly understood the true meaning of Mr. Shu¡¯s words. [¡°Do you hope to be ¡®S¡¯ grade?¡±] [¡°Yes... Of course!¡±] Actually, what kind of person you ultimately become is irrelevant to the expectations of others. It depends on yourself. If you want to be ¡°S¡± grade and are willing to put in all the effort for it... then the outcome of the final evaluation isn¡¯t that important anymore. So Gu Shen slept his most peaceful sleep in over ten days. When he awoke, he and Mr. Shu arrived at Da Teng Academy, the best public academy in Da Teng City, bustling with young students around his age. The final evaluation place was here, not an interrogation room or an underground research institute. It was an academy under the sun. It was a splendid day, and everything was beautiful. Chapter 42 - 42 40 The Lost Scroll ?42: Chapter 40 The Lost Scroll 42: Chapter 40 The Lost Scroll In the library, there was utter silence. The rows upon rows of bookshelves, bathed in the interplay of sunlight, constructed a dazzling sea. On the table lay a thick tome titled ¡°Study of the Logic of Constants in Electronic Physics,¡± half-flipped open, with a monocle standing on its pages, its chain pressed down on them, serving as a bookmark. The chair that had been in its usual spot was draped with a gray suit jacket. The owner of the jacket stood in front of the huge bookshelves, bathed in the tranquil sunlight. Deep Sea had connected the entire world, enabling data sharing. Now, hardly anyone visited the reading room for physical books anymore. Cui Zhongcheng removed two connected books from the shelf. He paused for a moment. After removing the books, the gap in the bookshelf revealed a pair of cunning eyes hinting a smirk. ¡°It is said that Da Teng Academy¡¯s library houses one and a half million books. It would take four thousand years to read them all if you read one book a day. Yet, Deep Sea entered the entire collection into its database in just three seconds.¡± The old man spoke in a very low voice from the other side of the shelf, as though talking to himself, ¡°It¡¯s quite ironic. The culture that humanity painstakingly developed over thousands of years can be fully absorbed by machines in just a few seconds.¡± Having said that, he looked up and asked with a smile, ¡°Places like libraries hardly attract visitors anymore. They maintained order, and for the sake of human dignity, AI is only responsible for entry, not for guiding... In such a place, finding the book you want must not be simple, is it?¡± ¡°Mr. Zhou, you must not read often.¡± Cui Zhongcheng replied gently, ¡°Each book is categorically sorted. All it takes is to search by the map, and finding a book is quite simple.¡± ¡°Oh, oh, oh... I see. I indeed do not read often.¡± Zhou Jiren apologized with a smile, ¡°But in this era, having Deep Sea is enough. Besides those stubborn who cling to the remnants of the old times, who would come here to read physical books, right... Mr. Xiao Cui?¡± Cui Zhongcheng glanced at his wristwatch. He calmly asked, ¡°Do you have business with me?¡± ¡°Nothing major...¡± Mr. Shu smiled sincerely, ¡°The audit for Gu Shen has started, my accompanying member has nothing to do, nowhere to go, and I thought to take a stroll around the academy... Quite coincidentally, I encountered you here.¡± The two men addressed each other very respectfully. Both using ¡°you¡± in the honorific form. ¡°This is my alma mater. I haven¡¯t been back in a long time, so I thought I¡¯d come have a look.¡± Cui Zhongcheng spoke softly, ¡°A long time ago, this place was also quiet... but that quietness was different from now.¡± ¡°That would have been twenty years ago, wouldn¡¯t it? Back then, Deep Sea hadn¡¯t connected the five continents, nor was there such advanced technology...¡± Mr. Shu did not hide his ironic tone, smiling, ¡°We have grown much stronger, and that¡¯s a good thing. Just considering the development of East Continent these past few years... Councilman Zhao has played an indispensable role. He has turned Da Du into a city as radiant as Changye.¡± Cui Zhongcheng frowned slightly. ¡°Honestly, I didn¡¯t expect that he would agree to issue a special amnesty for a little-known young man.¡± Mr. Shu said quietly with a chuckle, ¡°I was originally thinking of pulling some strings... It wouldn¡¯t matter if he disagreed; I would then plead with the bigwigs in Changye.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it a good thing that someone agreed?¡± Cui Zhongcheng sighed, ¡°Begging in Changye is a loss of face, and distant solutions do not quench immediate thirsts. Besides, whether the request is granted or not is another matter.¡± ¡°At my age, what do I care about face?¡± The smile on Zhou Jiren¡¯s face gradually faded, and he gazed steadily at the other man, saying, ¡°Since the special amnesty has been agreed, why bother sending such an audit team... This man is someone I will protect regardless of losing face. I want to make it clear upfront, no matter what the audit results are, I must safeguard Gu Shen.¡± Cui Zhongcheng¡¯s fingers caressed the pages of the book. ¡°Don¡¯t you understand yet?¡± He looked at the old man and spoke seriously, ¡°It¡¯s precisely because he discerned your stance... that Elder Zhao made such a resolute decision to issue the special amnesty order and dispatch the inspection group...¡± ¡°The last person you were so adamantly determined to take away was Nan Jin from Dadu District, right? Compared to her, Gu Shen is just a poor child with no parents, with a plain and unremarkable background.¡± Mr. Xiao Cui said in a low voice, ¡°Elder Zhao trusts your judgment, so he issued that special amnesty order immediately, and he also wanted to see, this child called Gu Shen... exactly who he is, so he sent out this inspection group.¡± At this, he revealed a humble and gentle smile. ¡°I suppose... you can understand Elder Zhao¡¯s intention, can¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Right now, everyone in the council is suffering a headache over the dispute surrounding the Awakening Decree, and at this point, it seems like nobody can accept the cost of their own failure... The tug-of-war has reached a moment close to yielding a result.¡± ¡°At this time, the slightest deviation could cause a massive distortion,¡± Cui Zhongcheng said, extending two fingers and slowly rubbing them together, ¡°A butterfly in the far West Continent fluttering its wings might cause a storm in Da Du.¡± ¡°Perhaps this butterfly is not in the West Continent, but in Central State, the Northern Fortress...¡± Mr. Xiao Cui paused and then spoke earnestly, ¡°But in any case, Da Du cannot withstand another major storm.¡± Zhou Jiren¡¯s expression was serious, and he had no more to say. He just silently stared at Cui Zhongcheng across the bookshelf. The sunlight passed through, and his figure should have been reflecting the midday radiance, but for some reason, it seemed to be covered with a faint shadow. ¡°By the way...¡± ¡°The proposal to issue the special amnesty order and dispatch the inspection group... was brought up by me,¡± Cui Zhongcheng said softly, ¡°Elder Zhao agreed immediately, so the one who came to Da Teng this time... is me.¡± He gazed at Zhou Jiren. ¡°...I have nothing to say.¡± The old man still had that stern demeanor, saying indifferently, ¡°Without Mr. Xiao Cui, there would have been others. As long as there is a special amnesty order, there will be an inspection group; I understand this principle.¡± Cui Zhongcheng nodded. He no longer paid attention to Zhou Jiren, but carried the book and walked away in the direction he had come from. The angle of the sunlight had shifted, and his original seat was no longer enveloped in light but was steeped in a slightly darker shade. He took a couple of steps. ¡°There¡¯s one more thing...¡± Mr. Shu spoke up again, stopping Cui Zhongcheng. ¡°Hm?¡± He frowned slightly, turning half his face to the side, his expression obscured by the book. ¡°It¡¯s about the issue we just chatted about idly.¡± Mr. Shu¡¯s voice was very soft and very slow, ¡°The method you mentioned, of following clues, is indeed a very simple and efficient way, but some books... are severely damaged, or for reasons like missing titles, they haven¡¯t been recorded in the AI library. Can such books... still be found?¡± ¡°...¡± Cui Zhongcheng fell silent for a long time, seemingly lost in thought. ¡°It¡¯s all down to luck now.¡± Mr. Xiao Cui spoke gently, ¡°You have to believe that as long as the book still exists, it will be found someday.¡± Chapter 43 - 43 41 Lantern Hourglass Dice ?43: Chapter 41: Lantern, Hourglass, Dice 43: Chapter 41: Lantern, Hourglass, Dice ¡°Gu Shen, as you can see, three ¡®Dream Sealing Objects¡¯ lie before you. The final evaluation by the audit team is simple... Touch the three Dream Sealing Objects in turn, enter the dream, and complete the Dream Interpretation.¡± A long table divided the classroom, with Gu Shen on one end and the formally seated audit team on the other. ¡°The time you take to interpret each Sealing Object will determine your final rating.¡± The rules were introduced by the Grand Judge of Yinghai District, Tang Qingquan. As he spoke, the expressions of a few other audit team members slightly changed, but none said anything. With an expressionless face, the Grand Judge leaned forward slowly, scrutinizing the seemingly ordinary young man before him. He had seen countless individuals, yet he could not discern any astonishing spiritual fluctuations in this youth. Being chosen as an authoritative ¡°S¡± level auditor was not an easy task. Every member of the audit team that had arrived in Da Teng City possessed considerable Extraordinary Power. They were all sizing up the young man before them. On the table lay three items... an ancient lantern, a depleted hourglass, and a restored magical Rubik¡¯s cube die. ¡°You should be aware of the rules of Dream Interpretation, shouldn¡¯t you?¡± The Grand Judge asked routinely; he had reviewed Gu Shen¡¯s file, which showed an outstanding performance in the fire incident. Zhou Jiren had even secured a special pardon for him, suggesting that he had prepared thoroughly for this evaluation. ¡°Rules...¡± Gu Shen seemed perplexed, ¡°What rules?¡± Tang Qingquan frowned. He did not understand. Hadn¡¯t Zhou Jiren extracted the Dream Interpretation questions on the plane and explained them to this newcomer? ¡°Is this your first time entering a Dream?¡± The auditor next to the Grand Judge still had patience. He looked at Gu Shen and earnestly said, ¡°A dream is a world woven by spiritual power; thus, everything in the dream is illusory... no matter how powerful the Sealing Object, it is no exception.¡± ¡°Once you touch a Sealing Object, there is no possibility of withdrawal.¡± He pointed to the three items on the table and continued, ¡°As for how to interpret the dream, it¡¯s not complicated. You only need to first realize that you are in a dream, then find the anomaly within the dream. Finally, use the anomaly to naturally complete the ¡®breakthrough,¡¯ which is what is called ¡®Dream Interpretation¡¯!¡± Gu Shen listened intently, confirming their explanation of Dream Interpretation using what he knew. He had awakened on the grassland, first realizing that he was in a dream. Then he identified the ¡°anomaly¡±... which in the Spring Thunder was probably the dense layer of storm clouds. The interpretation of the Spring Thunder was simple. It hadn¡¯t been long before it started raining on the grassland, and he had simply sat down according to his inclination and immediately comprehended the breathing method of the plain that synchronized with the rain pattern... It was just that simple to complete the breakthrough and the Dream Interpretation. ¡°The three Sealing Objects brought this time are quite intense,¡± said the serious audit team member, handing over a small copper piece. ¡°This copper piece is called ¡®Heart Peeping Coin.¡¯ If you cannot bear their dreams, we will forcibly take you away... the cost will be slight mental damage, requiring rest for ten to fifteen days.¡± ¡°Of course... if you exit the dream in this manner, your evaluation will also end.¡± He paused and then sat back, ¡°Do you understand?¡± Gu Shen took the Heart Peeping Coin. He weighed it in his hand; it felt substantial and appeared to be made of copper, but it seemed to have another mystery, feeling cool to the touch. ¡°Understood.¡± Gu Shen held the Heart Peeping Coin and took a deep breath. Senior Sister Luo had said that the Judgement Institute had thousands of Dream Sealing Objects... these objects had different characteristics and were used to hone spiritual power. Some Transcendents who perfectly mastered the rules of the dream could use these Sealing Objects as their weapons. If the Sealing Objects were specifically prepared for his evaluation... could it be to prevent ¡°leakage of questions¡± by choosing from the Sealing Objects carried by the auditors themselves? He approached the table, examining the three Dream Sealing Objects closely. The hourglass sat quietly on the table, all its sand settled at the bottom, looking no different from ordinary objects, but after a closer look, Gu Shen immediately felt a sense of decay and dead silence enveloping his heart. This was probably a Dream Sealing Object related to ¡°time.¡± Hmm... a dangerous thing. Gu Shen then looked at the die, seeing no anomalies; it was just a simple cube die. Unpredictable, unassessable. Finally, his gaze turned to the lantern. The most noticeable item on the table was the old lantern in front of the Grand Judge. Although it looked like an ancient object hundreds of years old, its core was ablaze with a vigorous flame, casting light on the tattered scroll depicted on the exterior of the lantern¡¯s oiled paper. This depicted countless chasing flames and ghosts, flickering with the flames, inhaling and exhaling as if alive. It appeared to be in the hand-painted style of the Yinghai Region from long ago. He looked towards the Grand Judge; Gu Shen had researched the identity of all members of the reviewing panel, and only this one was from the Yinghai District, perhaps this was his sealing object? The Grand Judge stared back expressionlessly, his elbows propped up. ¡°Make a choice quickly,¡± Tang Qingquan tapped the table, urging, ¡°There¡¯s not much difference between these three.¡± ¡°...Alright.¡± After hesitating, Gu Shen reached out a hand and touched the Rubik¡¯s cube dice. After observing around, the Rubik¡¯s cube dice felt to him the most benign and harmless of the sealing objects. After touching it, following the panel¡¯s instructions, Gu Shen held the Rubik¡¯s cube dice in front of him. He waited a second, and nothing happened. But the next second, Gu Shen realized he had made a grave mistake... ¡°Click!¡± A crisp explosion sounded! It felt as if something had cracked inside his mind, his entire soul struck by lightning! Agonizing pain ensued. Gu Shen looked down, his expression astonished. The restored Rubik¡¯s cube was rapidly spinning in his palm, scrambling itself, making crackling popping noises¡ª Because of his weak spiritual power. Gu Shen struggled against the spiritual pull of the Rubik¡¯s cube dice... He tried hard to track the final twists of the Rubik¡¯s cube. Several seconds later. ¡°Click.¡± When the Rubik¡¯s cube stopped, the real Gu Shen had become as rigid as a stone sculpture. ... ... A breeze blew through. Bright light accompanied by the wind entered the classroom, touching the faces of each member behind the long table of the reviewing panel. It was at the moment the Grand Judge had spoken. Their expressions had subtly changed in an instant. ¡°Tang Qingquan, you¡¯ve modified the rules on your own... by doing this, you¡¯ve contradicted our original intentions,¡± the Redwood District Judge said softly, ¡°The original rule was that he only needed to choose one item and complete dream interpretation to pass the review.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡± the Grand Judge said indifferently, ¡°If Gu Shen could complete the first dream interpretation... we could inform him afterwards. That was Elder Zhao¡¯s idea.¡± The Redwood District Judge frowned. How could there be no difference? This review was critical, and if Gu Shen knew the rule was to touch three sealing objects... in the first dream interpretation, he would definitely conserve his strength. Most importantly, it could lead to a misjudgment. With only one dream interpretation, he would definitely give it his all... But with three dream interpretations waiting for him, this young man might misinterpret the difficulty of this review. These three sealing objects, each imprinted with nightmare-level dreams! ¡°It¡¯s a pity he didn¡¯t choose my ¡®Ghost Cage,¡¯ otherwise this review could have ended early.¡± The Grand Judge chuckled, ¡°Perhaps he thought your ¡®Green Dice¡¯ looked simpler?¡± ¡°... I was ready to enter the dream and lead him out,¡± the Judge sighed softly, ¡°The dreams of the Green Dice are very tormenting. If he can¡¯t endure them, giving up early might also be a good choice.¡± Chapter 44 - 44 42 s Green Dice ?44: 42 chapters Green Dice 44: 42 chapters Green Dice ¡°My head... hurts terribly.¡± Pain akin to utilizing the Truth Ruler struck him. However, this time, it wasn¡¯t the all-encompassing, world-turning pain that flooded his whole body, but rather, it was just a headache. To be precise, it was a neck ache. Around his neck, it felt as though it was tightly gripped by a thread, faintly causing pricking and choking pain. ¡°Other parts... I can¡¯t feel them. Are they numb?¡± Gu Shen slowly opened his eyes. In front of him was a transparent mirror, reflecting his current appearance... Once he saw it clearly, Gu Shen¡¯s complexion turned pale... The mirror showed a familiar face, but only a face. He had only a head left. Nothing else, no torso, arms, or limbs, so he only felt pain around his neck, no sensation anywhere else... He had lost his limbs, leaving only a head. Memories surged like tidal waves. He quickly realized he was in the midst of a dream... and the reason he¡¯d fallen into the dream was that he had touched what seemed to be the most harmless magic cube die, the moment he lifted the cube, his eyes shimmered with the splattering radiance of the die. Immediately afterward, the face of the die started spinning wildly, dragging him into the dream! ¡°Whew...¡± ¡°Whew...¡± Gu Shen took two deep breaths to calm himself down. He thought he had already experienced two dreams and nothing would surprise him, but the sight in front of him was still shocking¡ªthe fact that he, having only a head left, still retained a complete consciousness. ¡°Are there such dreams too... Was I too naive?¡± Gu Shen slowly moved his head. He discovered he was confined in an environment similar to a closed box, with all six sides being mirrors reflecting different appearances of his head. That seemingly harmless die, was it actually the most dangerous? Watching the pale face in the mirror, Gu Shen pulled at the corners of his mouth and smiled. ¡°Chu Ling hasn¡¯t appeared, nor have I heard her voice...¡± he quietly waited for a short while, soon regaining his composure, ¡°It seems she isn¡¯t connected, so this dream... I must rely on myself.¡± In fact, Gu Shen had not considered relying on Chu Ling¡¯s power for this trial. The more dangerous the situation, the more rational he became... Although he no longer had a torso, Gu Shen still felt his blood boiling hotly, and he even faintly felt exhilaration and anticipation. ¡°Interesting...¡± He had lost his limbs, with only a head left. He couldn¡¯t use his hands, nor could he escape, only being embedded and imprisoned here. ¡°The cube was solved, and after I touched it, it began to scramble itself.¡± Gu Shen narrowed his eyes. This was the last piece of information he could retrieve in reality, his memories halting scene by scene, recalling the cube die bursting and twisting he first saw. Then, he remembered the words of a member of the audit team. ¡°Regarding Dream Interpretation... I¡¯ve completed the first step,¡± Gu Shen muttered, ¡°I woke up in the dream, and realized everything here is an illusion... Next, I need to find the pattern, the peculiarity.¡± The space here was abnormally small and suffocating. But because of this... the area to search was narrowed down, there were almost no other clues here except for the mirrors. ¡°The mirror... that is the only clue. Top, bottom, left, right, front, back, a total of six sides, exactly matching the blocks of the magic cube die.¡± Gu Shen narrowed his eyes, ¡°If the real cube die getting scrambled affects the dream, then what I need to do, really, is to piece it together. This doesn¡¯t seem hard to guess.¡± The question was, how to twist it? ¡°Will some kind of action of mine affect the twisting...¡± Gu Shen slowly moved forward, he was very close to the mirror, and after touching the one directly in front of him... a strange sensation emerged. ¡°Click.¡± The entire world rotated... but only partially. Gu Shen felt the pain around his neck disappear, but replacing it was pain in his chest, torso, and waist... After the world rotated, his neck successfully connected to his chest, but the area of pain widened. Left hand, right hand, left leg, right leg, all were within the ¡°nothingness¡± of the mirror. The box imprisoning him also grew somewhat larger. ¡°Hmm... indeed, twisting the mirrors, restoring the cube.¡± Gu Shen felt somewhat weak. Having just twisted the Mirror World once, he felt as if his spirit had been scraped with a knife. If he hadn¡¯t guessed wrong, every twist was a depletion of his spiritual power... If he tried aimlessly, his spirit would collapse before he could restore the cube. ¡°The difficulty of this dream is much higher than ¡®the awakening of insects¡¯.¡± He finally understood what the members of the review committee meant by ¡°intense features¡±, ¡°The awakening of insects can be slowly comprehended, but here, every twist of the mirror is an agony.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but think of the other two Dream Sealing Objects on the table, which were probably on the same level as this dice... The difficulty of this review was indeed very high. ¡°Luckily, there¡¯s no one manipulating this dice... I still have time to think.¡± Gu Shen slowly organized his memories. ¡°Although the trajectory of the cube¡¯s twists is fast... I have remembered it... Just restore it according to the pattern. I can complete the Dream Interpretation very soon.¡± He entered an extremely calm state, and after ensuring there was no chance of error, he twisted the mirror again. ¡°Click.¡± This time his chest and neck disconnected, but sensation in his left hand appeared out of nowhere... Gu Shen looked down at himself, like a segmented wooden figure, each piece of his body embedded in the nothingness of the mirror space, only reconnecting with his head could restore intuition, he could confirm that step now. The ultimate condition to complete the Dream Interpretation was to restore the entire torso. Following the trajectory in his memory, Gu Shen began the restoration! ¡°Click.¡± ¡°Click.¡± ¡°Click.¡± ... ... ¡°Among the three Dream Sealing Objects, the Green Dice should be the most time-consuming,¡± the Redwood Judge observed the boy with a complex expression, ¡°I propose... if Gu Shen hasn¡¯t completed the Dream Interpretation within four hours, we should end the review.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± the auditor who explained the rules spoke up, ¡°If he can really endure four hours inside the Green Dice... he¡¯s already stronger than most ¡®A¡¯ grades.¡± ¡°Elder Zhao is very interested in him, perhaps we can afford to be a bit more patient with him.¡± The Grand Judge spoke leisurely, ¡°There are plenty of people who have slept for two or three hours inside the Green Dice, let¡¯s wait for him to realize he is in a dream... then start the timer.¡± He had just finished speaking. The cube dice suddenly bounced once. The Redwood Judge¡¯s eyes brightened... What seemed like a casual bounce was actually not without pattern. This was the first step of restoration. ¡°He¡¯s awake,¡± The Judge was surprised and glanced at the time, murmuring, ¡°Three minutes... he has woken up his consciousness inside the Green Dice. And the first twist is correct! Could it be that he remembered the order of the Green Dice¡¯s chaos before entering the dream?¡± ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s just good luck.¡± The Grand Judge watched his companion with a smile, gently tapping the table, ¡°Let¡¯s wait a little longer.¡± What followed... was a long five minutes. Five minutes, no movement. Just when everyone was preparing to face another long wait, the cube moved again! It was still the trajectory of restoration. Then one twist followed another. ¡°Click... Click... Click...¡± All five review committee members displayed looks of disbelief. Each twist of the Green Dice brought with it spiritual pain... the consistency in the boy¡¯s twisting frequency indicated that he had mastered the technique and was firmly convinced that he was making the right choice. There was admiration and praise in the Judge¡¯s eyes, ¡°This boy has a good memory... It seems he really remembered the disorderly sequence of the Green Dice... and is calm enough under such circumstances to recall the steps of restoration...¡± But, in his eyes was more pity and regret. Each twist of the Green Dice was slow because it drained spiritual power. About ten minutes later. All the twists were completed. The cube was restored to its original state and lay quietly in Gu Shen¡¯s hands. But Gu Shen... did not wake up. ¡°This boy is really impressive.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a pity...¡± ¡°The colors of the cube can be repainted, the simplest way to restore a dice cube is to repaint it...¡± The Judge spoke regretfully, ¡°This apparently externally restored Green Dice had its internal space scrambled long ago. To fully restore it, it¡¯s not as simple as just following the twisting trajectory.¡± Chapter 45 - 45 43 Us ?45: Chapter 43 Us 45: Chapter 43 Us ¡°If I remember the twisting trajectory of the dice correctly... then it should be restored by now.¡± Inside the Green Dice dream realm. Gu Shen looked at his reflection in the mirror... According to the trajectory in his memory, he had already restored the dice, but at this moment, the mirror showed a body that was incomplete, with missing legs and arms. He had some difficulty understanding the current situation. After restoring the magic cube, the Dream Interpretation should have been completed. But now... Clearly, something was wrong. Gu Shen was not affected by the continuous pain of being torn apart in the dream; his thoughts were exceptionally clear. He replayed the process, looking for where he went wrong. The scene of the magic cube dice twisting and splintering played back slowly in his memory, then even slower¡ª ¡°No... I didn¡¯t make a mistake... The restoration trajectory is correct.¡± Suddenly, Gu Shen understood the reason. ¡°I was misled by the scrambling of the magic cube...¡± ¡°This dice, it appears to be restored on the surface, but its internal space has long been scrambled.¡± Appearances had deceived him. Once he understood this, the subsequent Dream Interpretation was not too difficult; the only challenge was bearing the pain of twisting with his spiritual power. ¡°To truly restore this dice... will require a lot of work. I need to find the correct base face first.¡± The real base face was to use his own torso as the block. The twists made during the attempted restoration were not a waste... Gu Shen recalled them in his mind, putting the pieces of his torso back in place... and he began to twist the magic cube dice again. ... ... ¡°Click.¡± After five minutes of silence, the Green Dice rotated once again in the youth¡¯s palm. At this point, every member of the auditing team had a strange expression on their faces. The speed of dismantling the Green Dice dream was too fast, making this Dream Interpretation look... very simple. The magic cube dice kept rotating, occasionally pausing for a short while before quickly continuing toward the correct restoration trajectory. But in fact... every turn required the consumption of spiritual power, and the dreamer could easily lose direction. Even a single mistake could lead to greater and more numerous errors... But Gu Shen¡¯s Dream Interpretation was different. Fast! Accurate! Ruthless! A delight to the eyes, astonishing to behold. Seeing this, the Redwood Judge no longer had any doubts in his eyes, knowing what the next turn of the cube meant... Gu Shen had found the correct solution to the Green Dice dream. The rest of the Dream Interpretation was just a matter of time. The speed with which this youth solved the puzzle was incredibly fast. The Grand Judge had assumed it would take Gu Shen one to two hours, or even longer, to understand the essence of dismantling the dice. But unexpectedly... it had only taken a mere five minutes. Since time immemorial, there had been spiritually talent individuals, brimming with pride, who attempted to dismantle the Green Dice dream realm. However, most dreamers spent hours just to awaken their Spiritual Consciousness. No one had ever become aware as quickly or decided as calmly as Gu Shen had. This youth¡¯s spiritual talent was truly one in ten thousand. At least in terms of the talent shown in ¡°Dream Interpretation,¡± it was far beyond that of a common genius! His spiritual power was weak, but his will was strong, and his observation sharp enough, his thought processes calm enough. ¡°S-grade, definitely S-grade.¡± The Redwood Judge couldn¡¯t wait to give his evaluation. He looked at Gu Shen, the more he looked, the more he liked him, his eyes brimming with unhidden admiration. No wonder Zhou Jiren, that old man, had the gall to shamelessly ask for a special pardon from the council¡ªthis was a sure bet! If this young man had been born in Redwood District, he would have certainly made a move to fight for him, to take Gu Shen under his wing. ¡°If solving the ¡®Green Dice¡¯ within 4 hours is enough to earn an S-grade rating. From start to now, only 35 minutes have passed...¡± He laughed loudly: ¡°This beats the fastest record by a whole two hours. Look, what kind of monster rookie this is... We have witnessed an incredible miracle!¡± Grand Judge Tang Qingquan crossed his arms and stared intently at Gu Shen, as if deep in thought. Suddenly someone asked, ¡°When Gu Shen finishes Dream Interpretation, will the audit be complete?¡± The auditing team quieted down all at once. Yes... according to the original rules, that should be the case... Completing any one of the three nightmare-level Dream Sealing Objects would suffice to pass the audit. ¡°I hope the audit can continue.¡± The Grand Judge spoke softly. All eyes converged on him... In this audit team, his status was slightly higher than the others. Most importantly, he acted directly on the wishes of Da Du¡¯s Zhao Xilai. ¡°Is this also Elder Zhao¡¯s wish?¡± asked the Redwood Judge, frowning. ¡°No... this is my own wish.¡± Tang Qingquan said leisurely: ¡°Since Gu Shen has shown such high talent... let¡¯s see his limits. It¡¯s more of a miracle to consecutively solve three Nightmare Sealing Items rather than just solving your Green Dice in an hour, isn¡¯t it? We need to know his limits, and we need to be sure... that Dream Interpretation for him isn¡¯t just good luck.¡± ¡°I object!¡± The Judge said unpleasantly, ¡°Dismantling three nightmares in a row places a great strain on spiritual power. Even if he isn¡¯t our Disciple, we shouldn¡¯t treat him this way!¡± The Grand Judge merely hummed in agreement, but it was merely a polite affirmation. Speaking calmly, he said, ¡°Since there are objections... shall we vote by a show of hands? The other three, please raise your hands if you advocate for ending the audit early.¡± The Redwood Judge furrowed his brows and looked around. No one raised their hand, nobody echoed. ¡°Four to one.¡± The Grand Judge looked towards the Redwood Judge and spoke indifferently, ¡°The minority follows the majority, so... the decision is made, the review will continue.¡± ... ... Only one step remained. Gu Shen¡¯s body had already been restored, except that his head was turned 180 degrees. All he needed to do was to twist his head back into place, and he would have completed the final Dream Interpretation. He didn¡¯t rush to complete the last step. Instead, he softly spoke out the name that was on his mind. ¡°Chu Ling.¡± In the dark dice Dream, reflective like a mirror, allowing no second person, after voicing his thought, Gu Shen quietly waited for a while. There was complete silence within the dice Dream. No response. He smiled self-deprecatingly. The reason he called out to Chu Ling was actually borne from a slim hope. She had said... as long as he needed, no matter when, she would always be able to establish a ¡°Spiritual Link¡± with him! It seemed that this time, Chu Ling hadn¡¯t heard him. Just as Gu Shen was about to twist his head back and leave the Dream¡ª The gloomy mirror in front of him suddenly splashed with ripples, a series of dark codes obscured the mirror, and eventually, the world in the mirror revealed a girl as pure and flawless as white jade. ¡°I¡¯ve been here all along.¡± Chu Ling¡¯s hands were clasped behind her back as she spoke with a soft laugh, ¡°This is your test... so I thought it would be better not to disturb you. I wanted to appear when you were just one step away, but you never called for me.¡± Seeing Chu Ling¡¯s face, the stone in Gu Shen¡¯s heart suddenly fell. He laughed with a sense of relief, ¡°You¡¯ve been here all along...¡± The Dream Interpretation in the dice space was about to be completed. Looking back on the whole process, this was indeed a nightmare, but knowing that Chu Ling had actually been silently accompanying him... the nightmare didn¡¯t seem so unbearable anymore. ¡°You are very fast at Dream Interpretation.¡± Chu Ling smiled, ¡°Even I am surprised. I didn¡¯t expect you to be so gifted in this area. Those guys outside are already dumbfounded.¡± ¡°Ah ha...¡± Gu Shen laughed too, he instinctively wanted to reach and touch his head, but his whole body was reversed, making the gesture feel bizarre. He took a deep breath and steadied his spirit, ¡°There are still two reviews to come...¡± Two more nightmares. He had the feeling that the biggest problem was his current spiritual power. Dream Interpretation required a significant expenditure of spiritual power. In the dice space, each turn of the mirror was a consumption. He didn¡¯t know if he could withstand the next two Dream Interpretations... The girl in the mirror, seeing Gu Shen¡¯s weary face, showed a look of concern. Gu Shen could tell that she seemed to have something to say. ¡°Actually... you have already completed the review,¡± Chu Ling said softly, ¡°The original review stipulated that you only needed to complete the Dream Interpretation of one Dream Sealing Object.¡± ¡°The original... review?¡± Gu Shen was taken aback. ¡°Someone changed the rules.¡± Chu Ling¡¯s voice was low, ¡°Because you interpreted the dream so quickly... they wanted to see if you could complete three consecutive Dream Interpretations.¡± ¡°With your spiritual power, completing three shouldn¡¯t be a problem... but afterwards, your spiritual power will inevitably be overdrawn.¡± Hearing this, Gu Shen roughly understood. From the Grand Judge¡¯s urging, he had sensed something was amiss... Although he had mentally prepared for the difficulty of the Sealing Objects, he had not anticipated how draining it would be. If really left in the dark, after three consecutive sessions, he probably would have to lie in bed for ten days or half a month to recover. ¡°So you mean... I have already met the review standard?¡± Gu Shen frowned, ¡°Someone in the review team deliberately changed the rules to prolong the process?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Chu Ling spoke softly, ¡°The person is Tang Qingquan from Yinghai District, the Grand Judge. He seems to have some issues with you. We have no power to resist the change in reviewing rules... we can only accept it.¡± Without Chu Ling needing to say more, Gu Shen could guess as much. The Grand Judge¡¯s attitude towards him was indeed different from the other members of the review team; he had felt it as soon as he entered the venue. ¡°If you give up now, it might not be impossible. Zhou Jiren is aware of the rules, and he will fight for the corresponding rights for you,¡± Chu Ling offered a suggestion, ¡°But... the process of fighting for rights will be tough.¡± ¡°Give up...¡± Gu Shen shook his head. Looking at the girl in the mirror, his tone was firm, ¡°How can I give up after coming this far?¡± He had suffered hardship and sweated for this day. ¡°So you¡¯re planning to... continue?¡± A trace of concern appeared in Chu Ling¡¯s clear eyes. ¡°That¡¯s right. Of course, I¡¯ll continue.¡± Gu Shen suddenly smiled, ¡°I thought this review was based on the rules... but since someone is unkind, they can¡¯t blame us for being unjust.¡± The girl in the mirror reacted for a moment. Then, she covered her mouth and giggled softly. Chu Ling was really happy. Because just now, Gu Shen didn¡¯t say ¡°I.¡± It was ¡°we.¡± Chapter 46 - 46 44 Reporting ?46: Chapter 44 Reporting 46: Chapter 44 Reporting ¡°54 minutes!¡± The Magic Dice had eerily stalled for a moment just before the final, simplest two steps. The Redwood Judge stared at the dice, his heart in his throat for Gu Shen as he counted the seconds, agonizingly slow. He speculated that the dice¡¯s current pause was because the young man had exhausted a great deal of spiritual power and needed to stop and rest a bit before making the final sprint. He must have reached his limit. What a pity, what a pity. Otherwise, his result could have been even faster... Although faster was already meaningless. In previous audits, the fastest record for solving the Green Dice was 3 hours and 1 minute. Gu Shen¡¯s record was a whole two hours faster, and probably no faster records would be set for many years to come. As the Magic Dice in his palm completed its final, intricate fit. The young man slowly opened his eyes. Dream Interpretation, complete! At that very moment, each member of the audit team¡¯s gaze was fixed upon Gu Shen¡¯s face; they wanted to see the residual emotions of that dream in the youngster¡¯s eyes... Everyone who had gone through the Green Dice retained in their eyes emotions such as fear and trepidation. But there was nothing in Gu Shen¡¯s eyes. Clear and distinct in black and white, like a pristine lake. So serene it was somewhat disappointing. ¡°Congratulations, you have completed the dream interpretation of the first Extraordinary Sealed Object, ¡®Green Dice,''¡± the Grand Judge said indifferently. He scrutinized Gu Shen, ¡°Your performance is neither good nor bad, but you will need to speed up for the second one.¡± The rest of the audit team remained silent. Out of guilt, the Redwood Judge did not look into Gu Shen¡¯s eyes. He heard a gentle placement sound; the young man had set the Green Dice down in front of himself and said softly, ¡°Is that so? I need to speed up again... I thought I was already quite fast.¡± ¡°You can still be a little faster. This is about the ¡®S-level¡¯ audit,¡± the Grand Judge spoke evenly, ¡°If you feel that your spiritual power cannot sustain it... you can choose to give up now.¡± Earlier, they had not seen any emotions like fear or trepidation in the boy¡¯s eyes. But they all felt it... Gu Shen had exhausted a great deal of spiritual power completing the Dream Interpretation of the Green Dice. This was the required expenditure for Dream Interpretation! ¡°I choose to continue.¡± Gu Shen smiled, reaching out to take the inverted hourglass from the table. ¡°Very well...¡± Tang Qingquan said, ¡°If you¡¯re ready to go into the dream, turn over the ¡®Time Sand.¡¯ Time Sand... This Sealed Object was named Time Sand... Gu Shen nodded. He did not rush to start. After understanding Tang Qingquan¡¯s true nature, Gu Shen chose to ignore the Grand Judge¡¯s urging words. With the experience of the Green Dice, Gu Shen decided to observe this Sealed Object carefully before turning over the Time Sand... The Green Dice was about slicing space within a dream, requiring one to find the right pattern. This hourglass, quite evidently, corresponded to the rule of time. The sand within the hourglass was snow white, piled up like a small hill, and with a slight shake, the sand scattered normally. After about a minute of shaking it from side to side a few times and examining it closely... There was nothing abnormal in appearance. After ensuring nothing was overlooked, He chose to turn the hourglass over slowly. ¡°Buzz.¡± As expected, the moment he inverted his hourglass, his spiritual power started to drain uncontrollably, as if sucked into quicksand, along with thousands of grains of sand... Because his spiritual power was too weak. So he was directly hypnotized into the dream by the Sealed Object. ... ... ¡°Tang Qingquan.¡± After seeing Gu Shen enter the dream, the Redwood Judge spoke seriously, ¡°The audit process today will be recorded, and Zhou Jiren will see it as well. If Gu Shen suffers a mental breakdown as a result of forcibly undergoing a second dream interpretation... we will all be responsible, and you will be the first to answer for it.¡± ... Tang Qingquan simply remained silent on this. ¡°Why are you making things difficult for a child?¡± the Judge Chief pressed. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t Elder Zhao¡¯s idea, why bother him?¡± The Grand Judge, seated at the central bench, slowly looked toward the Redwood Judge beside him. ¡°Do you want to know why?¡± Finally, he was no longer silent. Grand Judge Tang Qingquan took a document envelope from the briefcase he carried with him. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen. Just yesterday... I received an allegation report.¡± This statement caused the Redwood Judge to be taken aback: ¡°An allegation report? Someone reported Gu Shen?¡± ¡°It was submitted by Han Dang from the Judgement Institute,¡± Tang Qingquan said indifferently. Everyone was familiar with the name Han Dang, a well-known and respected youngster, the leader of the younger generation at the Judgement Institute. ¡°He investigated Gu Shen¡¯s case in Da Teng City... about the truth behind that fire incident...¡± he put forth the envelope, ¡°I think everyone should take a look at this allegation report.¡± The moment the Redwood Judge received the document, his expression changed dramatically. ¡°Based on the on-site investigation and the profile... there is sufficient reason to suspect... that Gu Shen does not possess an Extraordinary Ability but has illegally used an Extraordinary Sealed Object...¡± He read the content of the allegation report and couldn¡¯t help but laugh out loud, muttering in a low voice, ¡°Bullshit? Since when can a profile serve as evidence!¡± The Grand Judge also smiled silently. ¡°Indeed, a profile cannot serve as evidence. If this allegation report hadn¡¯t come from Han Dang... I wouldn¡¯t bother looking at it at all,¡± he said coldly. ¡°The key is the ¡®investigated truth¡¯ inside this report.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve all come to Da Teng City to inspect Gu Shen¡¯s Spiritual Potential... and the risk of losing control,¡± he continued. Tang Qingquan looked around, his voice growing louder by the moment: ¡°We are here to verify whether he possesses ¡®S-level¡¯ capabilities or not. But if this report is true... and Gu Shen is merely an ordinary person, then we have a very serious problem!¡± If this report were verified... then fabricating the scene of the fire incident, seeking amnesty through deception, defrauding the council¡ª a string of accusations would follow in rapid succession. These could already be considered criminal charges. ¡°Han Dang is currently on the way to gather evidence,¡± the Grand Judge said calmly, ¡°I have not yet reported this to Councilman Zhao. If Han Dang gathers evidence and proves everything in the report is true... you all understand what will happen, don¡¯t you?¡± The Redwood Judge clutched the report, sweat beading on his forehead. He suddenly understood the real intention behind Tang Qingquan¡¯s advocacy for extending the audit process... If the five-person panel rated Gu Shen as ¡®S¡¯, and then Han Dang¡¯s allegation report was investigated and verified, trouble wouldn¡¯t just befall Gu Shen. Without a doubt. The correctness of the audit would be questioned, and the five-person panel would face the strictest scrutiny! ¡°We had better pray this is all a farce, an attempt at a counter-attack by Zhu Wang targeting the special amnesty incident involving Zhou Jiren... If this report can be withdrawn, then everything will get back on track.¡± In this moment, the Grand Judge finally clarified his stance, saying, ¡°I have faith in this kid; there¡¯s no doubt he has ¡®S¡¯ rank potential. The prerequisite is... he actually possesses Extraordinary Ability.¡± Chapter 47 - 47 45 Time Sand ?47: Chapter 45 Time Sand 47: Chapter 45 Time Sand Desert. An endless desert. Snow-white sand grains fluttered in the air, as heatwaves swept through, distorting the space in the distance. Gu Shen opened his eyes, and his first reaction was to look down to check the composition of his body, relieved to see that it was still an intact torso... he let out a sigh of relief. Whew... This time, I didn¡¯t get dismembered. Unlike the previous dice dream, the space of the Time Sand dream was vast, with no end in sight, the rolling sand dunes being all that made up this dream. ¡°Chu Ling¡ª¡± Gu Shen called out. The very next moment, space beside him twisted, and countless codes emerged, forcibly carving out an oasis of Pure Land within the ¡°Time Sand¡± dream. A barefoot girl in a white dress appeared out of thin air and slowly landed on the scorching sand surface. Gu Shen looked at the girl, brewing his thoughts for a moment. He earnestly said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Chu Ling was somewhat surprised and asked with a smile, ¡°Why apologize?¡± ¡°I want to take back those words I said in the Jingzhe Dream... If given a choice, who would want to be the last one?¡± Gu Shen slowly said, ¡°When Nan Jin was in the infirmary, she told me something... ¡®Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.¡¯ At the time, I just made a note of it but didn¡¯t really take it in.¡± ¡°At first, I just wanted to escape.¡± He took a deep breath, ¡°But now, I¡¯m ready!¡± ¡°Moreover, from the matter of Dream Interpretation... I¡¯m not as bad as I imagined.¡± The girl smiled and shook her head. ¡°Not as bad?¡± Chu Ling spoke softly, ¡°The external examiners said you were a one-in-a-million talent.¡± Gu Shen expressed his true inner thoughts, and the final stone in his heart finally landed. ¡°Alright, no more fuss.¡± He crouched down, extended a finger, and pinched a few grains of sand, saying, ¡°I promised Senior Sister Luo that I¡¯d get ¡®S¡¯ rank in this examination, and I intend to keep my word. Since I¡¯ve already broken the record... then it¡¯s worth going all out to show them my real strength.¡± The sand grains were white, consistent with the texture observed within the Dream Sealing Objects. ¡°What¡¯s the fastest record for the Time Sand?¡± Gu Shen asked. ¡°The quickest record in the Deep Sea system is 2 hours and 18 minutes.¡± Chu Ling crossed her arms and inquired with a smile brimming with meaning, ¡°Need any help? If you¡¯re going all out, I can help you pass in ten minutes.¡± ¡°Ten minutes to clear it is a bit preposterous...¡± Gu Shen said with a wry smile and a shake of the head, ¡°Even if it¡¯s a speedrun, a ¡®ten-minute¡¯ result would probably get me dragged away for dissection studies.¡± ¡°Relax, relax. This is the final examination.¡± Chu Ling said lazily, ¡°Anyone who can cheat under the noses of five Grand Judges, besides you, hasn¡¯t been born yet. If you really did get that score, you¡¯d probably be marked as an important person of national treasure level beyond ¡®S¡¯... As for dissection studies, they¡¯d be too busy protecting you to dare slice you up.¡± ¡°It¡¯s rare to encounter a Dream Sealing Object of this level. In the last session of Dream Interpretation, I seemed to have received some inspiration. This time, I still want to interpret the dream relying on my own strength.¡± Gu Shen thought for a moment, adding,¡±But the biggest challenge is the consumption of spiritual power...¡± Having unlocked the Green Dice, his spirit was already a bit fatigued. ¡°Just focus on interpreting the dream, don¡¯t worry about the rest, leave everything to me.¡± After saying this, Chu Ling fell silent. She returned to being that quiet observer, as the world before her howled with raging winds and millions of sand grains, but in her eyes, there was only Gu Shen. ... ... So far, Gu Shen stood in the midst of the Time Sand dream without recklessly moving forward. He remembered what the Grand Judge had said. The Grand Judge explained that all three Dream Sealing Objects on the table had very intense characteristics... Gu Shen had already experienced the Green Dice¡¯s trait, which immediately dismembered the whole person. And this seemingly serene world of sand dunes presented Gu Shen with a sense of danger lurking beneath an undercurrent of murderous intent. The place was vast, so it was not possible to observe closely as he could with bronze. ¡°Must I start moving now?¡± Gu Shen took a tentative step forward. Just one step. And he sensed trouble. Quicksand began wrapping around his calves, pulling him downward... in the ¡°Time Sand¡± dream, the entire world was made of soft sand grains, and with each step, he faced the risk of being swallowed by the quicksand. ¡°As expected... this dream is quite dangerous.¡± Seeing the quicksand engulfing him, Gu Shen felt somewhat relieved. What he feared was the unknown danger that stemmed from undiscovered rules of the Dream realm! ¡°As long as you envelop yourself in spiritual power, you can temporarily stop the quicksand... So, every step forward consumes spiritual power,¡± he gradually understood the rules of these Dream Sealing Objects. Dream explorers could perhaps quickly discover the trick, but to truly perform Dream Interpretation, a solid foundation of spiritual power was necessary¡ªthe Time Sand Dream before him was the perfect example. Gu Shen speculated that there might be an exit leading in the correct direction here. Even if you were on the right path, it would still require sufficient spiritual power to reach the destination. ¡°Zzzap...¡± Gu Shen felt himself sinking. Just as he readied himself to use his spiritual power, the quicksand around his calves slowed tremendously... Invisible garbled code appeared within the quicksand. Chu Ling had intervened. The quicksand¡¯s speed of engulfing him dropped drastically, and Gu Shen easily pulled his legs out of the sand swamp. He turned to look at the girl who smiled and gestured to him, feeling incredulous once again... Chu Ling could actually modify the rules of the Time Sand Dream... Was it achieved through the Deep Sea¡¯s capabilities? It was an inexplicable technique. This way, he could explore the Time Sand Dream ¡°without any scruples.¡± Without worrying about the consumption of spiritual power, Gu Shen suddenly felt much more relaxed. He observed the wind direction and decided to run along the trajectory of the floating sand grains... If ¡°inversion¡± was the sign of activating the seal, then perhaps the sand grains¡¯ movement could be the breakthrough point. Ten minutes later. Gu Shen returned to the starting point. Chu Ling smiled quietly, just watching him. ¡°What if I change direction and try again?¡± In the vast expanse of the Time Sand Dream... Gu Shen made his second attempt. Ten minutes later, he once again returned to the starting point. This seemingly ¡°boundless¡± world actually had an invisible air wall. Both attempts led him back to the start; every time Gu Shen traveled a certain distance, he would be surrounded by sand, whether he moved with or against the sandstorm, the result was the same... he returned to the starting point. And Chu Ling hadn¡¯t moved a step from the beginning. Obviously, she knew the characteristics of ¡°Time Sand.¡± ¡°If it were just me... finding out that this world is ¡®cyclical¡¯ would take a long time,¡± Gu Shen realized a serious issue, ¡°Without Chu Ling, I might think I¡¯m heading in the right direction and keep moving forward... but in fact, I would just be repeatedly making the pointless effort of returning to my starting point.¡± He silently counted numbers in his mind. Each time he returned to the starting point, it was about six hundred seconds, ten minutes. Does this mean... the boundary of this world is the distance one can run all-out for six hundred seconds? ¡°Wait a second...¡± Gu Shen thought of another possibility. He crouched down and began to dig a sand pit. The quicksand was already turbulent in the dream, and digging made it flow even faster; seeing what Gu Shen was doing, Chu Ling¡¯s gaze flickered slightly. This time, no garbled code appeared to slow the collapse of the quicksand. Gu Shen finished digging a pit and jumped in, waiting for the quicksand to gradually swallow him, while silently counting down in his heart. The sands enveloped him, first his calves, then his thighs, and soon he lost sensation in his lower body, as if being tightly gripped by thick walls. Gu Shen closed his eyes. ¡°600...599...¡± ¡°120...119...¡± With the last two minutes remaining, the quicksand reached his neck, and Gu Shen felt as if a powerful hand grasped his heart. The pressure was immense. Just then, the garbled code appeared! A series of fuzzy symbols materialized from nowhere, circling around Gu Shen¡¯s neck, significantly reducing the erosive sensation of the quicksand, preventing suffocation. He looked like a diver wearing a breathing mask, disheveled but safe. He closed his eyes. He succumbed to the quicksand. The world was pitch black... and growing even darker... ¡°10...9...8...¡± In the last few seconds. The sensations of suffocation and constraint vanished. Gu Shen opened his eyes, easily lifting his hands without any resistance from the quicksand... because he was not buried under the sand, but standing on a small dune. The pit he had previously dug was gone. The world was leveled by the sandstorm, boundless and despairing. ¡°Ten minutes...¡± Gu Shen looked towards Chu Ling and murmured, ¡°I now know the characteristic of the Time Sand Dream.¡± Chapter 48 - 48 46 Ghost Cage ?48: Chapter 46 Ghost Cage 48: Chapter 46 Ghost Cage The time within the ¡°Time Sand¡± dream is only ten minutes. After ten minutes, the world resets. This also explains why Gu Shen, no matter which direction he started from, always ended up back at the same place... Even if he was engulfed by quicksand, as long as the time reset was triggered, he would return to the starting point. If one were to enter this dream alone, they might mistakenly believe they had arrived at an endless desert. In fact, no matter how far one walked, they would be pulled back to the starting point by the ¡°time reset.¡± ¡°The reset time of Time Sand is ten minutes... Is it because the hourglass in reality is made to measure ten minutes?¡± Gu Shen thought of Chu Ling¡¯s first words. If one gave it their all, the Time Sand dream could be solved in ten minutes. ¡°So that¡¯s it... The key to breaking Time Sand isn¡¯t in space... but in time.¡± ¡°Then, where is the exit of Time Sand?¡± Gu Shen crouched down again. He twirled the sand, gazing deeply into the pit beneath his feet. ¡°600... 599...¡± Gu Shen began to count down silently once more. ... ... ¡°Time Sand and Green Dice are two completely different types of Sealing Objects.¡± Redwood Judge Wu Mengbai asked with concern, ¡°Without finding the ¡®pattern,¡¯ one could wander in Time Sand for ten thousand years and never escape. It¡¯s been almost an hour now... Lin Beizhu, how many times has the Time Sand dream inverted?¡± This man named ¡°Lin Beizhu,¡± a member of the audit team in charge of the Time Sand Sealing Objects, was an elderly man with a childlike face and a look of vibrant spirit. He stared at the hourglass in Gu Shen¡¯s hand, his eyes sparkling with keenness, as though he could see through the Sealing Object and gaze directly into the dream. ¡°Old Wu, ever since Gu Shen broke ¡®Green Dice,¡¯ you¡¯ve seemed particularly concerned about him,¡± Lin Beizhu said with a smile. ¡°The time flow rate in Time Sand is proportional to that in reality at one to one. This young fellow indeed has a remarkable talent and quickly discovered the ¡®reset¡¯ feature. He¡¯s currently attempting to solve the dream... He should be able to finish soon. Judging by his progress, he¡¯s about an hour ahead of the fastest record.¡± Wu Mengbai breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this reply. He was indeed very interested in Gu Shen. The fastest record for Green Dice was three hours and one minute. The record for Time Sand was two hours and eighteen minutes. It wasn¡¯t that these two Nightmare Sealing Items differed significantly in difficulty... The properties of Time Sand were more gentle compared to Green Dice, seeming more like a slow ¡°torture.¡± The faster one deciphered the pattern, the easier it was to unlock Time Sand. Green Dice, on the other hand, was different. Even with the knowledge of the right trajectory, one needed to muster all their spirit to complete each necessary twist! ¡°This performance is quite impressive... Another new record...¡± Wu Mengbai turned to the Grand Judge and said solemnly, ¡°I believe it¡¯s the Dream Interpretation of Green Dice that has exhausted a great deal of Gu Shen¡¯s spiritual power, otherwise this record could have been even faster. Given his outstanding performance, I think the audit should be suspended after ¡®Time Sand¡¯ has been unlocked. If you¡¯re concerned about the negative impact of that whistleblower report, we could wait for Han Dang¡¯s investigation results before giving the final audit assessment.¡± ... Tang Qingquan, faced with the Redwood Judge¡¯s suggestion, showed no sign of conceding, ¡°I understand your proposal, but... I do not agree. I maintain my original view that Gu Shen should complete the Dream Interpretation of all three Sealing Objects. If he cannot pass the test of ¡®Ghost Cage,¡¯ I will not give him an ¡®S rank¡¯ rating.¡± Wu Mengbai¡¯s face turned ugly. ¡°The properties of Ghost Cage are too intense...¡± Lin Beizhu, the owner of Time Sand, started to mediate, stating earnestly, ¡°Having unlocked two Nightmare Sealing Items in a row, Gu Shen¡¯s spirit must be quite exhausted. Touching the Ghost Cage next might cause him significant distress, perhaps even harm.¡± ¡°Whether it¡¯s Green Dice or Time Sand, both are Dream Sealing Objects that lean towards ¡®discerning patterns,''¡± the Grand Judge said seriously. ¡°Since Gu Shen has already shown an unrivaled Spiritual Potential, our assessment should be more comprehensive...¡± The Redwood Judge still wanted to say something. At that moment, Gu Shen woke up from the ¡°Time Sand¡± dream. The voices of all the arguments from the auditing team also disappeared at this point... ¡°One hour and three minutes.¡± Lin Beizhu smiled and said, ¡°Congratulations. Your Dream Interpretation score is very good. How did you find the last ¡®exit¡¯?¡± The youth returned the hourglass to the elder with both hands, and nodded politely with a smile, yet his complexion visibly lacked some color... Even with Chu Ling¡¯s assistance, interpreting the Time Sand dream still consumed a considerable amount of spiritual power. ¡°I was rather lucky.¡± Gu Shen humbly smiled and said, ¡°I accidentally fell into quicksand... I thought I was done for, but it triggered a ¡®time reset¡¯. Otherwise, it would have taken me a bit longer. As for the last ¡®exit¡¯... I figured since this world wasn¡¯t as big as I imagined, direction didn¡¯t matter anymore. So, I started looking for clues from the Dream Sealing Object itself. I hypothesized that the time reset¡¯s feature corresponded to the narrow point at which the hourglass resets its sands. Thus, I lingered at the last second of the time reset and dived into the deepest part of the sand, and sure enough, that¡¯s where the final exit for the Dream Interpretation was.¡± ¡°Indeed, that¡¯s some good luck, to find the pattern through ¡®drowning in sand¡¯.¡± The old man nodded in approval. ¡°If you were a little bit luckier, you might have completed the Dream Interpretation with your first ¡®drowning¡¯, which isn¡¯t impossible.¡± The key to completing this Dream Sealing Object was to reach the deepest part of the Time Sand at the moment of the time reset. The hourglass was flipped. The deepest end became the initial exit. Gu Shen scratched his head, ¡°Luck, it¡¯s all luck, just fluke.¡± Compared to the Green Dice, interpreting the Time Sand did indeed involve an element of luck, and without Chu Ling¡¯s help to alleviate the pressure of being engulfed by the sand, he wouldn¡¯t dare attempt such a life-threatening act. Normally, Dream Interpretation would take a bit longer. But it should still be faster than the previous record. Having completed two Dream Interpretations in a row, Gu Shen felt a fluttering sensation in his chest, an emotion beyond his control, a reminder from his body that it was time to rest, to stop going on. His spiritual power was still weak. Touching too many of these Nightmare Sealing Items at once wasn¡¯t a good thing. As for that third Sealing Object, which also seemed to be the most dangerous, Gu Shen knew that relying solely on his own strength, it might be very difficult to complete the Dream Interpretation like before. ¡°Gu Shen.¡± The Redwood Judge spoke up. When Gu Shen had chosen to touch the Time Sand, he already faced moral accusations. Now, he chose to stand out. Wu Mengbai said gravely, ¡°Listen to me, let¡¯s stop the audit here. There¡¯s no need for you to continue, I¡¯ll fight for an ¡®S grade¡¯ rating for you.¡± Gu Shen was somewhat surprised as he saw the looks in the eyes of the rest of the auditing team¡¯s heavyweights, most of which were encouraging, appreciative. Only one person¡¯s gaze was the exception. ¡°No... the audit isn¡¯t over yet.¡± Grand Judge Tang Qingquan stared at the boy, calmly saying, ¡°Gu Shen, as the chief examiner of this audit examination, the final grading will be guided by my opinion.¡± ¡°You now have two choices¡ª¡± ¡°First, choose to touch the third Sealing Object, complete the Dream Interpretation, end the audit!¡± ¡°Second, choose to give up, end the audit, and do not pass!¡± Tang Qingquan¡¯s face held neither joy nor sorrow; he seemed to be speaking of something utterly unrelated to himself, ¡°You have one minute to rest, to think it over.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need to think it over.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s reply came quickly, without even a second¡¯s hesitation. He bowed deeply to those examiners showing goodwill, then straightened his back, and looked expressionlessly at the Grand Judge, saying, ¡°I choose to continue.¡± Chapter 49 - 49 47 Human Purgatory ?49: Chapter 47: Human Purgatory 49: Chapter 47: Human Purgatory ¡°Very well.¡± The Grand Judge paused, taken aback by Gu Shen¡¯s straightforward answer. Ever since this young man had entered the room, his performance had been remarkably stable... completely unlike the description in his file. The judge had thought him to be an introverted, timid little fellow, but in fact, it was the opposite: meticulous thinking, a calm style of action, beneath that youthful face lay a heart as mighty as a lion¡¯s. ¡°Then... let us continue.¡± Tang Qingquan slowly extended his palm and pushed the Ghost Cage forward towards Gu Shen, making a gesture of invitation. He wasn¡¯t deliberately making things difficult for Gu Shen. In the Yinghai District for over a decade, he had single-handedly dealt with countless tricky cases and had seen many out-of-control individuals in the Extraordinary Court. There were those who proclaimed their innocence despite being egregious criminals, and those who posed as perfect victims so flawlessly... Over the years, sometimes when he looked at himself in the mirror, he felt like a stranger. He seemed no longer capable of human emotions like ¡°mercy¡± or ¡°sympathy.¡± In court, everyone could be passionate, but he alone, as the Grand Judge, had to maintain the utmost calm and rationality. From the moment he received Gu Shen¡¯s file. He had a vague sense that something was off... It was a doubt he couldn¡¯t figure out no matter how much he thought. It was an intuition, an instinctual feedback telling himself that this young man was definitely not as simple as the file described. This review was not merely about Gu Shen¡¯s potential. So he insisted on having Gu Shen complete the test with the third sealed item. He wanted to use his own Ghost Cage to see what the dark side of this young man¡¯s heart really looked like. The properties of the Ghost Cage were very simple. The dreamer would see the darkest emotions in their heart within this lantern. The greater the evil thoughts, the more numerous and powerful the ghost spirits inside the lantern... Upon awakening, the dreamer would be overwhelmed by the evil ghosts within the cage, and their only choice would be to use their willpower to fight against their ¡°evil thoughts.¡± That is... slaying ghosts! This property, though simple to describe, was tremendously intense. The ghosts, transformed from evil thoughts within this lantern, were not something a normal person could contend against. Those who could slay their own evil thoughts within the ¡°Ghost Cage¡± were truly strong-willed, truly Extraordinary individuals. ... ... Beneath the lantern¡¯s oiled paper skin, a quiet flame flickered, as if housing a living being slowly breathing within. From the first impression, this lantern imposed a much stronger sense of oppression than the other two sealed objects! He reached out and gripped the thin handle connected to the upper end of the lantern. With a hiss. At the moment of contact with the lantern, the flame within seemed to leap out of the oiled paper, almost filling Gu Shen¡¯s entire field of vision. This entry into the Dream World was scarier than the previous two. And Gu Shen woke up faster than in the previous two as well. The flame leaping from the cage seemed like an illusion, or perhaps a magic show. After the fireworks dispersed, Gu Shen stood in an endless expanse of darkness, with the tide seemingly washing back and forth under his feet. He held the lantern, the only light in this world. And the flame inside the lantern was diminishing bit by bit... The tide beneath his feet surged back and forth with an increasing intensity. After resolving the Green Dice and Time Sand, Gu Shen was quite exhausted. He looked at the pitch-black world, a very strong sense of crisis emerging in his heart... He instinctively called out, ¡°Chu Ling¡ª¡± This time, before Gu Shen could speak, Chu Ling appeared a step ahead. Numerous dark codes spread out like feathers, and because the world was so dark, these codes seemed to naturally belong in this Dream World, showing no signs of disarray or conflict. Chu Ling hovered in mid-air, her hands gently resting on the young man¡¯s shoulders following the call of her name: ¡°I am here.¡± The lantern¡¯s flame flickered intensely. Gu Shen¡¯s expression was solemn, he lowered his head to look at his chest, muttering, ¡°I feel... like something inside my chest got pulled out, is it an illusion?¡± ¡°...¡± Chu Ling did not answer directly, she softly said, ¡°You¡¯ve resolved two dreams, do you still have the strength left?¡± Gu Shen shook his head, not pretending to be strong: ¡°Just by myself... it will be tough. I have a premonition that this Dream World is more dangerous than the previous two.¡± ¡°Ghost Cage... once an S-level sealed item, now severely damaged.¡± Chu Ling¡¯s voice was unusually solemn, ¡°But even so, it is still more perilous than the previous two dreams combined... Green Dice and Time Sand!¡± An S-class sealed entity? Gu Shen¡¯s expression tightened...According to the danger classification, the tall lady he had encountered on the light rail was only A-class. Could a sealed entity actually reach an S-level danger rating? The two conversed. The lantern¡¯s light had almost completely extinguished. The tide at their feet rose higher and Gu Shen felt himself being swallowed by boundless darkness, while his calves were enveloped in an icy cold. The tide had submerged up to there and continued to rise... At the same time, the sensation of being pulled away in his chest grew stronger, as if a hand were clutching his heart. With each wash of the tide, it forcefully tugged, intending to pull his soul from his body! ¡°When the lantern light dies out, evil ghosts pour forth.¡± The girl¡¯s voice echoed in the darkness, ¡°The greater a person¡¯s evil thoughts, the stronger the ghosts in the cage...¡± Gu Shen took a deep breath, adjusting his condition and simultaneously coping with the soul-pulling force in the unknown. Upon reflecting, he considered himself not a thief nor a robber, at most only slightly cunning. The evil ghosts in the cage shouldn¡¯t be particularly terrifying, right? ¡°Gu Shen, haven¡¯t you always been curious about what your Extraordinary Ability is?¡± Chu Ling slowly spoke, ¡°Soon, you will see it.¡± What followed was. The last sound in the dead silent world was: ¡°Hiss...¡± The wick went out weakly. The entire world plunged into darkness, and at the same moment, the pitch-black world began to slowly light up in another way. Before Gu Shen¡¯s eyes, a huge... Vertical pupil slowly opened. This vertical pupil was like a crimson sun, burning an endless sea of blood-red flames. The moment it opened, a powerful shockwave emanated, instantly causing the lantern in Gu Shen¡¯s hand to be incinerated to ashes. Bright light shone. Gu Shen could finally see clearly what the evil ghost before him actually looked like... One after another, vertical pupils lit up in the distance. The boundless tide was flowing out from a wide-open giant mouth. Gu Shen stood before it, and the entire world seemed about to be swallowed by the evil ghost... At this very moment, from within the giant mouth, soul bodies the size of babies surged out like locusts. The Dream World began to violently tremble, seeming on the verge of collapse. Gu Shen¡¯s face was pale. This was his...evil thoughts? This was simply, a human hell. ... ... The audit team fell into absolute silence. Including the Grand Judge. Everyone stared with a haunted look at the young man holding the lantern who had entered the Dream. In the real world, the Ghost Cage¡¯s core flame burned exceedingly fiercely, even emitting cries like boiling water, the light splashing in bursts, casting onto the oil paper exterior... reflecting one vertical pupil after another. The vertical pupils were crimson like blood. Each one was strikingly terrifying. And they kept emerging, emerging, then emerging further, finally stacking... densely packed, densely packed. An innumerable amount of evil ghosts thickly coated the exterior of the lantern. The Ghost Cage was able to reflect the true nature of the evil ghosts from within the Dream World on its exterior. And this phenomenon... was the first of its kind. How immense were these evil thoughts? Boundless! Nearly swallowing the entire Dream World! Chapter 50 - 50 48 Slaying Ghosts ?50: Chapter 48 Slaying Ghosts 50: Chapter 48 Slaying Ghosts ¡°Is this... my evil thoughts?¡± Gu Shen looked at the expanding seas of blood before him. After the flames in the paper lantern extinguished, the entire Dream World seemed to be filled with his own ¡°evil thoughts¡±... Could he really harbor such powerful evil thoughts at the bottom of his heart? ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°But that does not mean you¡¯re a bad person. Evil thoughts are like shadows in the water; the seemingly clear surface of the ocean might hide a dark current deep below, capable of swallowing the whole world.¡± Chu Ling said softly, ¡°It¡¯s deeds, not thoughts, that define good and evil. Although your evil thoughts seem vast enough to destroy the world... in the end, this is just a dream.¡± ¡°Now...¡± The girl slowly spoke, ¡°Shatter it.¡± Chu Ling¡¯s tone was very light, as if ¡®shattering it¡¯, those three words, were as easy as chopping vegetables, or like tearing a piece of paper effortlessly, or rather, as it should be naturally. ¡°Shatter it...¡± But as Gu Shen looked at the overwhelming black tide, the seas of blood, he felt his scalp tingle. He felt like a novice just out of the starting village, without even a rusty kitchen knife, yet facing the challenge of a world-devouring boss alone, and he had to perform the feat of defeating it with a single strike. How could that be possible? Gu Shen gathered his courage and asked, ¡°How do I shatter it?¡± Chu Ling looked at Gu Shen and slowly raised her arm, her two fingers together. ¡°However you want to shatter it,¡± she said with a smile. ¡°Like this... or like this?¡± She made a horizontal slicing motion. Then she cut vertically. Chu Ling smiled, ¡°Either way... whatever you prefer.¡± Gu Shen stood still, stunned. He subconsciously replicated the exact movements, then his fingers gently swept horizontally. ¡°Ssshhh.¡± It felt like tearing through a fragile sheet of white paper. A blinding light appeared on the distant horizon and, as Gu Shen¡¯s fingers passed over it, ¡°slowly¡± cut through the entire world. The skies of blood were split open, that ultimate Blazing Light swept through effortlessly, like flames cast by the Blazing Sun, severing the evil ghosts rising from Hell, the wailing black tide, and the continuously opening vertical pupils¡ªcutting them in half. All the wailing in his ears, the piercing roar... Under his distant arm swing. Instantly shattered! The entire heavy, dark world was torn apart by the intense Holy Light, countless lights rushing forward, the dark tide like being hit by a heavy bomb, tons of black waves blasted into the air, then evaporated into steam in the sky. So the world of nightmares was this fragile. Made of paper. One poke and it breaks. One tear and it crumbles. ¡°Congratulations.¡± ¡°One minute used,¡± Chu Ling spoke nonchalantly, ¡°You¡¯ve set a new record for the Ghost Cage¡¯s Dream Interpretation.¡± ... ... In the classroom. The inner core flame of the Ghost Cage soared with a roar, like tides crashing against the cage walls, giving off the impression that it could explode at any moment. The number of fierce ghosts painted on the paper lantern was simply too great, densely overlapping, as if they could burst through the lantern itself. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Wu Mengbai was shocked, this was the first time such a multitude of fierce ghosts had been reflected in the Ghost Cage¡¯s dream. Just by looking at the lantern scroll, one could imagine what kind of hell the Dream World had become at that moment. Everyone was dumbstruck. The Grand Judge was the calmest of all, his gaze fixed on Gu Shen. Indeed, Gu Shen wasn¡¯t as simple as his records suggested. ¡°This kid with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, doesn¡¯t look like someone with antisocial personality disorder...¡± Lin Beizhu frowned and muttered, ¡°His evil thoughts are too terrifying.¡± ¡°Does that mean... there¡¯s a high risk of losing control?¡± asked a member of the review team urgently. ¡°No.¡± Tang Qingquan spoke, and at that moment, he was the most composed. ¡°The Evil Ghost Scroll that appears in the Ghost Cage has nothing to do with the risk of losing control. The most important thing is whether he can overcome his evil thoughts... No matter how small the evil thoughts, even if there¡¯s only one small ghost, a person with weak will might break down. Gu Shen¡¯s evil thoughts, with their unprecedented scale, are like opening the gates of Hell; he must be trapped in hell right now, right?¡± The Grand Judge said indistinctly, ¡°Now, I¡¯m looking forward to it. How strong must one¡¯s will be to walk through hell alone?¡± Evil thoughts tower to the sky! How to slay ghosts? I thought I would face another long wait. But just as the Grand Judge¡¯s voice fell¡ªthe lantern emitted a slight crackling sound! The Grand Judge¡¯s expression changed drastically, for his vision was excellent, and he clearly saw that the painting on the oiled paper depicting the endless Night Parade of Thousand Demons had split open with a crack. Was this... the lantern being damaged by an external force from within the Dream World?! How could this be possible! The Ghost Cage had once been a complete S-class Dream Sealing Object, until a supremely powerful figure took it to measure his ¡°own evil thoughts.¡± In the end, the figure got the results he desired, but the lantern burst from the pressure. Thus, it fell from its S-class rating, but even so, it remained an extremely fearsome Dream Sealing Object. During the ten years Tang Qingquan had presided over the ¡°Ghost Cage,¡± he had witnessed hundreds of differing evil ghost dreams. He had seen many hellish scrolls filled with monstrous evil thoughts. But these were at the Extraordinary Court, handed over to malefactors sentenced to the utmost penalty; beings who were cold-blooded, indifferent, murderous, and did evil without restraint... Hell was indeed the best destination for them. Ironically, these people, upon truly seeing the evil thoughts in their hearts, turned out to be the most fearful and terrified. Not to mention overcoming those evil thoughts. They could not even endure for a quarter of an hour. Almost as soon as the picture of the evil ghosts on the lantern took shape, their spirits were on the verge of collapse... These individuals were accustomed to being seen as real-life evil ghosts, feared and avoided by everyone, but when they truly faced the evil ghosts of purgatory, they cowardly shrank away like rats. But Gu Shen¡¯s painting. It was the first that Tang Qingquan had seen in ten years. He originally thought that a great figure splitting the lantern with his own evil thoughts was just a legend. But he had not expected... it was true! Gu Shen¡¯s evil thoughts were too powerful for the lantern to bear... The scene was truly terrifying. He could not imagine how the host in the Dream World was supposed to cope. And the next moment. Gu Shen provided the answer¡ª After the crisp crackling sound, the oiled paper lantern split along the edge in a circular seam, as if it had been sliced by a knife. At the same time, the flame at the core of the Ghost Cage twisted, emitting a mournful wail! Carved on the oiled paper of the lantern, countless ferocious ghosts were all severed at the waist. ¡°What?¡± Tang Qingquan¡¯s eyes widened. The rest of them exchanged glances. Just a moment ago, they had been wondering how Gu Shen would slay the ghosts? In the next moment, the slaying of ghosts had concluded! The scene was absurd and dramatic. An uncountable tide of evil ghosts threatened to engulf the world... but then, daylight broke. All the evil ghosts were cut down. Simplistically... like tearing paper. Indeed, it was like tearing paper; the oiled paper lantern¡¯s surface had split open in that flicker of flame, and the once S-class sealed artifact was now even more severely damaged. ¡°Phew...¡± The classroom fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. There was only one person lightly exhaling. Gu Shen, who was holding the lantern, had emerged from the ¡°Ghost Cage¡± Dream, slowly opening his eyes. After resolving the third dream, his complexion was no longer pale; instead, it had gained a lot of color. After overcoming the Ghost Cage, he felt his whole being¡ªbody and spirit¡ªrefreshed, as if something that had been weighing on his chest was now gone, leaving him much lighter. Gu Shen noticed the judges, all five members of the review team, looking more astonished and shocked than the next. Had he slain the ghosts too swiftly? But... this wasn¡¯t something he could control. With a single crackling sound, it was over. Chu Ling was right, it was like... tearing paper, wasn¡¯t it? Gu Shen noticed the damage to the Ghost Cage; had the commotion in the Dream just now caused the destruction of the lantern? But please, don¡¯t let this trouble fall on me. He silently prayed in his heart, apologetically handing back the lantern with both hands before bowing slightly. The room remained silent, no one made a sound. Gu Shen gave a light cough, drawing the attention of the examiners, and asked cautiously, ¡°Now, is the review... over?¡± Chapter 51 - 51 49 Trap ?51: Chapter 49: Trap 51: Chapter 49: Trap ¡°A foreboding feeling suddenly intensified.¡± The moment he entered the apartment, Han Dang felt a jolt in his heart. He had chosen to act today because Gu Shen¡¯s audit was scheduled for today... According to the intelligence, Mr. Shu had already returned to Da Teng City, and to ensure Gu Shen¡¯s personal safety, Zhou Jiren would definitely accompany him to the audit. If this old man were not around. Then he could act without too much concern. ¡°Such a strong sense of foreboding... could it be that woman surnamed Luo?¡± Han Dang quickly left the elevator and arrived at the door of Gu Shen¡¯s apartment, hoping, if possible, to avoid a direct confrontation with that woman. He and Luo Er had joined the Judgement Institute in the same batch, and he knew very well... how tough she was. But there was no time left for hesitation. Retrieve the token, submit it to the audit team, end all this. There is no turning back once the bow is drawn! Han Dang placed one hand on the door frame and took a deep breath. The Truth Domain was activated instantly, multiple shadows overlapped at the front of the apartment door, he merely used the simplest profile, the sequence to unlock the door floated up in the Reverse Flow of the dream... ¡°Click.¡± It went smoothly. The door opened. Han Dang rushed straight to the bedroom, where he saw a large freestanding storage cabinet, and a tiny bronze lock on the third drawer. This kind of lock required a key to be turned. With a growing sense of urgent impulsion in his heart, Han Dang no longer had the patience to look for the key. Expressionless, he covered the surface of the small bronze lock with his palm, spiritual power surged out like a tide, instantly breaking the lock tongue, and the drawer opened smoothly. ¡°...¡± Han Dang looked somberly at the object in the drawer. A long, narrow code box. Likewise, a tiny code lock firmly secured the latch, and a solemn warning was written on the code box: ¡°Do not open if not entitled.¡± ¡°Are you freaking kidding me?¡± The next moment, Han Dang¡¯s expression dramatically changed. Someone was coming! He reacted swiftly, quickly clutching the code box to his chest, then dashed towards the bedroom balcony. He smashed through the large glass window instantly, and people on the street heard the sound of high-floor glass shattering. People looked up. But from the height of the apartment, all was calm. Everything seemed like an illusion. Countless shards of glass danced in the air, in the moment of breaking, the unfathomable rules changed the direction of their dance, and then they flowed back like water¡ª ¡°Whoosh!¡± The flowing water solidified, the glass reunited. Han Dang¡¯s pupils constricted, he was still in a sprinting posture, but the direction he skimmed out was completely opposite to what he had originally planned. He had intended to jump out of the window from Gu Shen¡¯s high-rise apartment to escape... but now, he was hurtling back towards the entrance. What had happened? What was this ability? His mind went blank, and he acutely sensed a looming crisis, the direction he was about to crash into had, at both ends of the door frame, a strand of extremely fine but tightly stretched black hair. This strand of hair flickered a chilling cold light in the breeze. If he hit it, he would probably be sliced in half! ¡°This is... that woman¡¯s seal!¡± Han Dang¡¯s gold-rimmed glasses sparkled, he raised two fingers to the front of his Adam¡¯s apple. The moment he hit the hair, there was no tension-like iron cutting off his head. ¡°Snap!¡± A crisp sound. The sticky substance at both ends of the hair directly burst, dust splattered from both sides of the door frame, Han Dang somewhat awkwardly halted his momentum, he steadied himself, his eyes sinisterly fixed on the trio beyond the dust. Nan Jin drew out two knives, completely on guard, highly focused, ready to face the upcoming battle. While Zhong Wei, with his hands in his pockets, seemed relaxed, casually surveying Gu Shen¡¯s apartment, hardly glancing at Han Dang... because he knew that the battle might not happen at all. Or perhaps, it had already ended. Senior Sister Luo¡¯s sleeves were rolled up above her forearms, her arms, white as lotus roots, were densely entwined with black hair, which cascaded like a waterfall to the ground, having covered the surfaces of the room without notice and the glass outside no longer transmitted light, the apartment¡¯s light was all blocked, only the harsh light from the lights spilled patchily. ¡°We meet again, Han Dang.¡± Senior Sister Luo pulled up a chair and sat down casually, smiling as she said, ¡°In recent years, there are fewer and fewer officials capable of carrying out high-risk missions for the Judgement Institute. Now that you are in Da Teng City, why sneak around? You could have just come for tea with me.¡± ¡°Luo Er...¡± Han Dang stood in the doorway, his brow furrowed amidst the collapsing rubble and dust, he waved his hand and used his spiritual power to disperse the dust. Since he was caught, there was no use in denying it. After all, everyone was just acting, an unspoken understanding between them, now it was simply out in the open. ¡°You should know what mission I am here in Da Teng City for.¡± Han Dang tapped his finger lightly on the code box in his embrace and said indifferently, ¡°That junior brother of yours, not yet officially taken in, has a not-so-clean background, I¡¯m afraid he might not meet the entry standards of the Judgement Institute.¡± ¡°Oh... is that so?¡± Senior Sister Luo said indifferently, ¡°And how is that?¡± ¡°The evidence is in my hands,¡± Han Dang said coldly. ¡°The truth about the fire... I presume you know it better than I do. I¡¯ve already submitted the report to the audit team, and if they don¡¯t accept it, this report will continue to be escalated, ensuring the council sees the ¡®truth.''¡± ¡°The truth?¡± Luo Er said solemnly, ¡°Rather than calling it the truth, it¡¯s more like a tactic you used to achieve your goals. Now that you aren¡¯t hiding anymore, I might as well be clear. You and Zhu Wang, doggedly pursuing the ¡®proclamation of amnesty,¡¯ are simply trying to topple the teacher to take over the position of Grand Judge at the Institute.¡± Han Dang narrowed his eyes but said nothing. ¡°You must already know the result of the latest meeting. Councilman Zhao vetoed the impeachment,¡± Luo Er said with a smile. ¡°You may not understand why... Why, despite so many people wanting the teacher to be deposed, did the impeachment still fail?¡± As her words fell. The whole apartment began to tremble, and the lights burst out with a sharp, piercing screech. Han Dang¡¯s expression became grave. He wanted to activate the ¡°Truth Domain,¡± but only now did he realize that a spiritual power, several times stronger than his own, had already fully enveloped the area, firmly suppressing his spiritual power. It was like a seedling under the earth, struggling desperately to take root and sprout. Was this... the woman opposite¡¯s spiritual power? This immense spiritual power gave Han Dang a sense of helplessness, like... facing the teacher. ¡°Could it be...¡± Han Dang thought of a possibility, his mood suddenly became uneasy. Senior Sister Luo played with the black hair in her palm, her voice tender and soft, ¡°Yes, just as you are guessing now... not long ago, I surpassed the trials of the Deep Sea 12th Floor and received the council¡¯s Titled ¡®Heaven¡¯s Eye.¡¯ This news has not yet been announced, only very few people know of it.¡± Han Dang clenched the box tightly, his complexion suddenly turning pale. ¡°No... It can¡¯t be...¡± He was the most prominent young leader in the Judgement Institute, always a bit stronger than his peers, while Luo Er... indeed a formidable opponent, but he had never thought, over all these years, that he could be surpassed by this woman. The trials of the Deep Sea 12th Floor... A challenge that blocked countless geniuses. He was still struggling before this giant chasm. And Luo Er, she had already crossed this chasm and received the title. The moment Senior Sister Luo spoke, Zhong Wei¡¯s expression remained calm as usual, having already known this news, while Nan Jin looked shocked... From what she knew, those who surpassed the Deep Sea 12th Floor were rare, each awarded a unique and exclusive title. Zhou Jiren¡¯s title was ¡°Sky-reaching Tree,¡± also why many respectfully called the teacher ¡°Mr. Shu.¡± Because of that extraordinary event years ago, Senior Sister had physically remained fifteen years old, appearing very young, but was actually in her late twenties, already reaching heights many could never achieve in a lifetime. ¡°Now you understand, the reason behind the failure of the impeachment?¡± Senior Sister Luo sat on the chair, gently smiling while casually lifting her palm and waving. ¡°Even if your teacher Zhu Wang personally appeared, he couldn¡¯t take this box away from me!¡± The next moment, a powerful spiritual power, like a tsunami, surged forth. Han Dang grunted, unable to resist the overwhelming difference in spiritual power, he staggered backward several steps, his back hitting the wall, and he could only watch as the bronze code box flew out of his embrace and landed in Luo Er¡¯s hand. The moment it was grasped, black hair swiftly entangled and wrapped around the lockbox. Senior Sister Luo pondered thoughtfully, staring at the bronze box in her palm. Her face revealed an interesting smile, looking at Han Dang with a hint of pity, and said, ¡°Stepping back ten thousand steps... Even if you took this box away, what could you have done with it?¡± The sealing material on the box¡¯s surface all receded. Leaving only a single slender hair strand, it probed inside the latch, gently turning. ¡°Click.¡± In front of Han Dang, the lockbox was slowly opened. Han Dang¡¯s expression turned extremely sour... He couldn¡¯t believe that the code lockbox he had painstakingly acquired... was completely empty inside. No evidence, no sealed item, not even a Ruler. Empty. He... had been played by Gu Shen at the orphanage. Chapter 52 - 52 50 Curtain Call ?52: Chapter 50 Curtain Call 52: Chapter 50 Curtain Call A breeze blew through the classroom curtains. The noon sunlight was a bit scorching. With only two or three hours left until the evaluation began, this Transcendent evaluation, originally anticipated to last at least ten to fifteen hours or possibly even the entire day, had concluded entirely. In every sense of the word, concluded. Three Nightmare Sealing Items had each completed their Dream Interpretation. This was an unexpected outcome for everyone, including the five evaluators... to complete the Dream Interpretation of three Nightmare Sealing Items in one breath was an impossible task for a newcomer. Gu Shen had not only accomplished that but also set three new records. It was hard to describe this young man¡¯s talent for Dream Interpretation with words... Even lavish praise like ¡®one in ten thousand¡¯ seemed pale, perhaps ¡®unprecedented¡¯ would be more apt. The Grand Judge looked at the Ghost Cage lying in front of him with a pained expression, the antique lantern¡¯s oil-paper skin had cracked open, the constantly burning spirit flame inside was heavily damaged, barely alive, with just a wisp remaining. His expression was indescribably complex. The Sealing Item that had accompanied him for over a decade had been damaged by a newcomer in a dream... This youngster truly deserved the ¡°S-class¡± rating; his Extraordinary Power far surpassed that of his peers. ¡°The evaluation is over,¡± Judge Tang sighed softly, a look of perplexity crossing his icy, mountain-like face, he seriously said, ¡°I have one last question... Gu Shen, what is your Extraordinary Ability?¡± Gu Shen opened his mouth. He recalled the scenes within the Ghost Cage, falling into deep thought. Chu Ling¡¯s words surfaced in his mind. [¡°Gu Shen, haven¡¯t you always been curious about what your Extraordinary Ability is?¡±] [¡°Soon, you will see it.¡±] In the Ghost Cage¡¯s dream, that casual wave of his hand, which tore apart all the evil thoughts in the entire world... was that his Extraordinary Ability? Or was it just... a dream? ¡°It¡¯s... light...¡± Gu Shen¡¯s voice was also filled with confusion, he murmured, ¡°This power is strong and requires a great cost to use. But in the ¡®Ghost Cage¡¯, I felt its presence.¡± The Grand Judge sat up straight, his expression turning extremely solemn. ¡°Light?¡± It sounded like a Natural type of Extraordinary Power... obviously, a high-ranking ability. ¡°No... not light...¡± Recalling the scenery from the dream, Gu Shen murmured, ¡°In the Ghost Cage, I saw the entire dream engulfed by evil thoughts, order collapsed, but when I used ¡®it¡¯, the darkness was torn apart, rather than saying that the power is ¡®light¡¯, it¡¯s more accurate to say that the power created ¡®light¡¯.¡± All evaluators unconsciously exchanged glances; they saw confusion written on each other¡¯s faces. ¡°Based on Gu Shen¡¯s description, this type of Extraordinary Power is not recorded on the known Transcendent Genealogy Map.¡± Lin Beizhu pondered for a moment and slowly said, ¡°Clearly, this is a new type of Extraordinary Power... Based on the recent description, it should possess characteristics of both Natural and Spiritual categories, and most likely combines the traits of ¡®Tearing¡¯ and ¡®Blazing Light¡¯.¡± Gu Shen was startled upon hearing this. Tearing and Blazing Light. It was indeed a coincidence... the power he used in the dream perfectly matched the scene of the fire incident. He didn¡¯t explain anything, just silently clenched his fist, feeling the remnants of the dream. ¡°May we see it in action?¡± Judge Tang asked solemnly. ¡°We would like to take a look.¡± Gu Shen looked embarrassed; he certainly wished to wave his hand like in the dream, tearing the entire world like paper... but reality did not allow such a flamboyant gesture. His wave of the hand would only affect the air. ¡°I currently... cannot master it proficiently,¡± Gu Shen came up with a flawless excuse, saying, ¡°The fire incident triggered it because my life was threatened, and my potential erupted... In everyday life, I cannot use this power freely, but in special dreams, I seem to be able to use ¡®it¡¯.¡± Because in the Ghost Cage, he truly sensed the presence of Extraordinary Power. Gu Shen exhaled a long sigh of relief. Even pretending became much more convincing. ¡°Hmm... a power too strong often comes with a great cost; it seems to be a formidable weapon.¡± The Grand Judge nodded, ¡°It appears that you will need a considerably long time to explore how to use this Extraordinary Power. This is something no one can help you with, you must rely on yourself.¡± Gu Shen thought to himself, ¡°These big shots really are meticulous, I don¡¯t even need to say anything... They almost completely summed up my Extraordinary Power.¡± ¡°Very well. Wait in the next room. We still have some matters to discuss,¡± the Grand Judge said, sounding somewhat weary. Gu Shen was invited to the next room. The members of the review panel exchanged glances. Even though Gu Shen¡¯s review performance was perfect, a look of concern still lingered in their eyes¡ªthe denunciation report was not yet concluded, which was the biggest trouble. ¡°Ding-a-ling-a-ling.¡± Just then, Judge Tang¡¯s phone rang. The Grand Judge furrowed his brows. He answered the call. It was Han Dang¡¯s voice on the other end. ¡°Hello...¡± Han Dang spoke softly, ¡°Judge Tang, it¡¯s about the denunciation report... I wish to withdraw that report.¡± ¡°...¡± After a moment of silence, Judge Tang chose to put the call on speaker, placing his phone on the table, allowing everyone in the review team to hear Han Dang¡¯s voice. The Grand Judge tapped the file lightly and asked unhurriedly, ¡°Han Dang, by ¡®withdraw,¡¯ do you mean to withdraw the document from the review team and transfer it to the East Continent Council, or to withdraw it entirely?¡± ¡°To withdraw it completely.¡± Han Dang chuckled softly, with an apologetic tone, ¡°We made a mistake with this. I am truly sorry... if it¡¯s convenient, I hope you could discard this denunciation report...¡± ¡°Damn it!¡± The Grand Judge interrupted furiously, ¡°Do you not realize how serious the accusations in this report are? To submit it and then just withdraw it! What do you take the special review team for?!¡± There was a dead silence on the other end of the phone. ¡°Where¡¯s your evidence?¡± Judge Tang coldly said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you claim to have proof sufficient to substantiate the report?¡± Han Dang couldn¡¯t utter a single word. ¡°To impeach Zhou Jiren, you really stop at nothing, exhausting all stratagems.¡± The Grand Judge said expressionlessly, ¡°Making things up, framing a newcomer, Gu Shen was nearly killed by you... I will report this to the council exactly as it happened; you¡¯d better warn Zhu Wang to prepare himself mentally!¡± After speaking, He hung up. On the other end of the phone, Han Dang, his black hair like seaweed, was pressed against the wall while the phone used for the call was bound and suspended mid-air. Han Dang¡¯s throat felt blocked. After the call was disconnected... the phone, pulled by the hair, was stuffed into Han Dang¡¯s pocket. He stared sternly at Luo Er, his eyes filled with resentment and anger. That phone call and the withdrawn case were actually not his intention, but his voice uncontrollably came through. ¡°Your gaze is quite intriguing,¡± Senior Sister Luo said, sitting in a chair and laughing, ¡°Compared to the charges Gu Shen was facing... your troubles are nothing, at most some criticisms from the council.¡± ¡°This matter, as of now... has reached a perfect conclusion, hasn¡¯t it?¡± Luo Er stood up, approached Han Dang, and said word by word, ¡°Of course... to make absolutely sure, we need to add something, if I recall correctly, it¡¯s a maneuver you¡¯re quite fond of.¡± ¡°Han Dang.¡± The moment Senior Sister Luo¡¯s eyes met Han Dang¡¯s¡ª The Spiritual Domain suddenly opened! Han Dang¡¯s eyes instantly became blank, and the voice echoing in his mind seemed to possess limitless Magic Power. ¡°You came to Da Teng City to investigate the ¡®fire case,¡¯ and after submitting the denunciation report... you found your investigation was flawed, chose to withdraw the report voluntarily, you will feel guilty, and genuinely repent for your actions.¡± Han Dang¡¯s consciousness struggled briefly, then was overwhelmed. The final voice told him, ¡°After a sleep, you will forget everything that happened here, return to Dadu District, and accept the council¡¯s punishment.¡± Chapter 53 - 53 51 Accompanying Reading ?53: Chapter 51 Accompanying Reading 53: Chapter 51 Accompanying Reading Twenty minutes later. Gu Shen was called back to the classroom where the review took place. The three sealed items on the desk had already been collected, and the five members of the review committee sat upright, the atmosphere momentarily becoming somewhat solemn. Had the results come in? Gu Shen felt an inexplicable nervousness in his heart. In fact, he knew his Dream Interpretation scores were good, and it was almost certain that he would pass this review, but from a young age, he had always been a bit timid in solemn and formal situations. Almost certain, but there was still a slight possibility of failure. What if... the results were bad? Seeing Gu Shen¡¯s somewhat nervous expression, the Judgment Chief from Redwood District couldn¡¯t help but laugh first. Then the rest of the judges laughed too. The few seconds of silence in the classroom were a small joke the review committee had prepared for this S-rank newcomer after their discussion. The result had been decided ever since Gu Shen completed the Ghost Cage Dream Interpretation. An undoubted S-rank. They thought they might as well let him worry for a moment. ¡°Congratulations,¡± The voice of Tang Qingquan, the presiding Grand Judge, broke the silence in the classroom. A hint of a smile gradually surfaced on his stern face¡ªthe tall Grand Judge, who meticulously combed his hair back and had an aura of ¡°keep out,¡± surprisingly gave off a warm and approachable vibe when he smiled. ¡°Gu Shen, after our review and collective discussion, the review committee has decided to grant you an ¡®S-level¡¯ potential rating,¡± declared the Grand Judge solemnly. ¡°In the past twenty years, few Transcendents have received an ¡®S-rank¡¯ rating from the Judgement Institute. You are a newcomer upon whom we place great hopes, and you are the hope for the future of East Continent. We hope you continue to excel.¡± It was a very official address, but the Grand Judge said it earnestly. Gu Shen breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the burden lift. ¡°Thank you.¡± He bowed deeply, and upon rising, he repeated, ¡°...Thank you.¡± The five judges across from him stood up and took turns coming over to shake hands with Gu Shen. They left behind their names and titles... from the East Continent Nine Districts, each of them was quite a famous authority figure. ¡°Gu Shen, you¡¯re a good kid. It was definitely worth trading a special pardon for your future,¡± Lin Beizhu, the elder with a youthful face in charge of Time Sand, whispered a message to Gu Shen during their handshake, saying, ¡°Actually... even if Councilman Zhao hadn¡¯t issued that pardon, someone else would have stepped forward. From what I know... there is still considerable interest in you from Changye.¡± Changye? That was the most bustling area of East State Jiangbei, a core district on par with Da Du. That there were also people paying attention to him there gave Gu Shen the fleeting illusion that he was dreaming. He saw Lin Beizhu wink at him and smile, saying, ¡°As for who it is, I can¡¯t say more. If you ever have the chance to come to Changye, I can take you to meet him.¡± ¡°Thank you for your kindness. I actually grew up in a small place... I¡¯ve always wanted to see bigger cities, but never had the chance,¡± Gu Shen said somewhat sheepishly. ¡°I¡¯m quite curious about both Da Du and Changye.¡± Gu Shen had grown up in a mountainous orphanage, far removed from technological civilization, and he had hardly ever wandered around the city center of Qing River District. As for Changye and Da Du, these were cities that existed only online for him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! There will be plenty of opportunities!¡± The Judgment Chief from Redwood District, Wu Mengbai, shook his hand energetically while patting Gu Shen on the shoulder and laughing heartily, ¡°Changye and Da Du are quite developed, but the other districts are not bad either. Kid, I think highly of you, and if you ever find it hard to fit in at the Judgement Institute, you can come find me in Redwood District.¡± ¡°...Yes!¡± Gu Shen bowed earnestly in thanks. This Judgment Chief, he vividly remembered. In his first dream contact, it had been Wu Mengbai¡¯s ¡°Green Dice¡±, and this review had shown that the Redwood District Judgment Chief was the one who had shown him the most goodwill. It seems... the bigwigs from the prison really liked to openly poach people, huh? ¡°Alright. Everyone, our work is done, let¡¯s not delay Gu Shen¡¯s ¡®time¡¯ any longer.¡± The Grand Judge said softly, ¡°Mr. Xiao Cui is still waiting to meet this newcomer.¡± Upon hearing the name Mr. Xiao Cui, the others laughed heartily and said no more. ¡°Mr. Xiao Cui...¡± Gu Shen¡¯s expression grew solemn. Several days before the review began, his senior brothers and sisters had told him about the general outline of the clemency order incident and the most crucial ¡°person¡± in this review. Dadu District Councilman¡¯s assistant, Cui Zhongcheng. Everyone is more accustomed to calling him Mr. Xiao Cui, a very formidable man. The title of councilman¡¯s assistant might not sound very significant, but in fact, he is quite a special existence... Councilman Zhao Xilai, despite his advanced age and most of his time spent recuperating, has powerful influence in the council, and many important affairs are personally handled by Mr. Xiao Cui. One could say, he is the assistant most trusted and relied upon by Councilman Zhao. Therefore, before the review started, Senior Sister Luo had Nan Jin take him away from Qing River District, to avoid attracting attention. The idea was to avoid meeting Mr. Xiao Cui before the official review began. His first impression might heavily influence the review... And now, the time to meet had finally come. Gu Shen walked together with the Grand Judge. Eventually, he was led to the library, where the afternoon reading room was bathed in sunlight, where a middle-aged man with an upright posture and scholarly demeanor sat quietly at a table, looking as ancient as a piece of stone. Through the full-length glass window, Gu Shen asked in a low voice, ¡°Is this Mr. Xiao Cui?¡± Not what he had imagined. He had thought... the other party would be an elite like Judge Tang Qingquan, with a slicked-back hairstyle, dressed in a neat suit, appearing very busy, always multitasking and working from dawn to dusk. He expected that when they met, Mr. Xiao Cui would be attending to official duties, rapidly replying to several emails. In fact, it was completely opposite to what he had imagined. Cui Zhongcheng had no fancy attire but dressed plainly like a teacher from Da Teng Academy. In this deserted library, he was like a grain of sand deep in the ocean. Gu Shen stared at that straight sitting figure, having no doubt that, if undisturbed, Mr. Xiao Cui would sit from morning till evening. ¡°Yes, this is Mr. Xiao Cui.¡± The Grand Judge advised, ¡°There¡¯s no need to be nervous. Mr. Xiao Cui... is actually a very kind person, just not good with words, which makes him seem somewhat lonely. He has actually been looking forward to meeting you, and specifically instructed us to bring you here after the review.¡± Gu Shen nodded. The automatic door slowly opened, and Gu Shen walked into the reading room, heading straight for the large table under the sunlight. He noticed that the book Mr. Xiao Cui was reading... was almost finished, with just the last thin dozen pages remaining. Gu Shen did not speak or make a sound. He simply selected a few books from the shelves quietly, sat opposite Cui Zhongcheng, and silently kept him company, continuing to read. Chapter 54 - 54 52 Requirements ?54: Chapter 52 Requirements 54: Chapter 52 Requirements ¡°Sorry to have kept you waiting.¡± The last dozen or so pages took Cui Zhongcheng more than an hour to read; after the sunlight shifted away, only remnants of dappled light fell upon them both. The man closed the book and began with an apologetic tone, ¡°I had thought that your assessment... wouldn¡¯t be finished until the evening at the earliest.¡± Dream Interpretation was the test that took the longest. He hadn¡¯t expected Gu Shen to complete it so quickly. ¡°You¡¯re too kind,¡± Gu Shen quickly shook his head: ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to come here to read, so it didn¡¯t feel like a long time at all.¡± Cui Zhongcheng glanced at the books beside Gu Shen. His own reading pace was slow, whereas Gu Shen was the exact opposite; he had already finished two books since sitting down across from him. ¡°Electromagnetic Topology?¡± Cui Zhongcheng smiled; it was an old discipline that had long since been conquered, and the person who did it was quite famous: ¡°Why did you choose this one? Did you pick it at random, or are you interested in Allen Turing?¡± ¡°Actually, I¡¯m interested in Deep Sea...¡± That statement sounded a bit arrogant, and Gu Shen quickly corrected himself: ¡°To be precise, I¡¯m curious about the research and development process of Deep Sea, so whenever I have time, I read a variety of related books, all sorts.¡± ¡°Then you shouldn¡¯t have chosen this one; it¡¯s too outdated. Topology doesn¡¯t have much to do with Deep Sea,¡± Cui Zhongcheng smiled slightly: ¡°Perhaps you should read about cloud computing, Deep Sea languages.¡± ¡°Logic and algorithms should just be the framework...¡± Gu Shen pondered and scratched his head: ¡°Mr. Turing once said that the true flesh and blood of technology lies in the knowledge and truths that have not been entered into the database. I know I¡¯m not particularly smart, so I usually choose books like this... once a discipline has been conquered, all the difficult questions have been marked, and there¡¯s hardly any confusion left after reading.¡± Cui Zhongcheng fell silent for a moment, looking meaningfully at the youth: ¡°Gu Shen... you¡¯re not what I imagined. Don¡¯t sell yourself short, perhaps you¡¯re much smarter than you think.¡± Gu Shen, slightly embarrassed by the praise, candidly responded: ¡°You¡¯re also different from what I imagined. I thought you would be...¡± He paused. With a keyboard-tapping gesture, he laughed and said, ¡°Busy.¡± Who would have thought that the assistant to the legislator, busy with daily affairs, would spend an entire day leisurely reading paper books in a library? ¡°Today is an exception, because I was meeting you.¡± Cui Zhongcheng stood up, gathered the books on the table, placed his monocle into his coat pocket, then draped the coat over his arm, smiling: ¡°Let¡¯s walk and talk. I¡¯ll show you my alma mater.¡± The two left the library, walking and pausing along the way. ¡°I studied at Da Teng Academy for six years, my dream was to become a teacher. If nothing unexpected had happened, I would likely have achieved that dream,¡± Cui Zhongcheng recalled his past, his eyes swirling with complex emotions, guiltily smiling: ¡°I¡¯m rather ashamed to say, I¡¯ve been too tied up with parliamentary affairs, and more than a decade has passed in the blink of an eye, and this is my first time back at my alma mater.¡± ¡°Unexpected?¡± Gu Shen inquired cautiously. ¡°At that time, my mother who raised me on her own fell seriously ill, and we needed a lot of money. Huazhi Group was offering high salaries to recruit talents, Mr. Zhao took a liking to me, offering me a good position and an extra large sum of money,¡± Cui Zhongcheng spoke softly: ¡°With that money, my parents were able to spend their twilight years in peace. Sometimes you need to bow to reality; ideals can¡¯t feed you nor cure you. I¡¯ve read your file; you joined Judgement Institute because of money, right?¡± Gu Shen stayed silent for a moment, then nodded. ¡°There¡¯s no shame in it,¡± Cui Zhongcheng said indifferently: ¡°Humans die for wealth, as birds die for food. There¡¯s no one in this world who¡¯s a clear-hearted and desireless Saint. The tasks of Judgement Institute are very dangerous, ask for whatever you need. Being able to satisfy you with money now is a good thing. Perhaps in the future, you may no longer care for such worldly things...¡± ¡°I hope my Granny, as well as the little ones at Chenguang Orphanage, can have a better life,¡± Gu Shen knew that since Mr. Xiao Cui had proposed to meet with him alone after the review, it wouldn¡¯t just be for small talk. Only with the approval, would there be a chance to meet. So now, it was his time to set the terms. ¡°No problem,¡± Cui Zhongcheng said calmly, ¡°It wasn¡¯t easy for Granny Xu Ya of Chenguang Orphanage to bring you up. If she wants to move to a big city, I will send someone to arrange it anytime. If she wishes to stay in Wulaoshan, I will allocate funds directly from the Group. Their educational resources, social welfare, and future employment¡ªall of these, the Group can resolve for them.¡± ¡°...¡± Gu Shen thought for a moment, then seriously said, ¡°Can the funds be transferred directly to my card? I hope Mr. Xiao Cui won¡¯t inform Granny about this... As for those kids, ensuring their education resources is enough, they can solve other issues on their own.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Cui Zhongcheng still agreed neatly, ¡°We¡¯ll do as you say.¡± It¡¯s easy to go from frugality to luxury but hard the other way around. Those children who grew up in remote mountains often have more perseverance and resilience than their peers, but if that spirit is corroded by comfort and enjoyment, they may never be able to return to it. ¡°Any other requests?¡± Gu Shen took a long time to think this time. He paused in front of a lake, with the light of the waves reflecting countless images of himself. ¡°I told Granny that I work at a research institute, and I need your help to back this story up and make her believe it,¡± Gu Shen said slowly. ¡°That shouldn¡¯t be hard, right?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Cui Zhongcheng said lightly, ¡°I will make your research institute background more authentic than that of an actual researcher.¡± With this promise, Gu Shen breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Mr. Xiao Cui, I¡¯d like to ask about the next task,¡± he said earnestly. ¡°I¡¯ve experienced the A-009 incident, so I know what a Transcendent task entails...¡± He knew he would be dealing with many dangerous people in the future, including out-of-control individuals, sealed entities, and probably many supernatural phenomena that science could not explain. ¡°You will be leaving Qinghe District for a while.¡± Cui Zhongcheng stood beside Gu Shen, looking at the thousands of reflections in the lake, and said softly, ¡°You¡¯ll be given a task... It¡¯s not as dangerous as you imagine, dealing with ¡®normal people.¡¯ Of course, it won¡¯t be easy either.¡± ¡°Sometimes normal people are much more terrifying than the out-of-control ones.¡± Gu Shen laughed self-deprecatingly. Everyone thought that A-009 was a fearsome beast, but only he knew that the tall lady had been gentle with him at least. On the contrary, those two unknown Transcendents from the arson case who burned down the building were brutal and infuriating. ¡°One last request... I don¡¯t want the arson case to be turned over or forgotten by everyone.¡± As the ripples in the lake subsided, returning to a smooth mirror surface, the calm face of the youth was reflected: ¡°This turmoil was caused by the decree of amnesty, and those who tried to assassinate me were obviously organized and premeditated. I can¡¯t forgive the actions of those behind the scenes. They took innocent lives and escaped the sanction of the law.¡± Chapter 55 - 55 53 Changjiu Foundation ?55: Chapter 53 Changjiu Foundation 55: Chapter 53 Changjiu Foundation ¡°The fire incident...¡± Mr. Cui Zhongcheng spoke up, ¡°Even if you didn¡¯t mention it, I would have brought it up.¡± ¡°Once you passed the evaluation, you became a member of the Judgement Institute, and your teacher Zhou Jiren is famously protective.¡± Mr. Xiao Cui said slowly, ¡°I heard he¡¯s been chasing clues related to the ¡®fire incident¡¯ lately, perhaps afraid that if you didn¡¯t pass the evaluation, the case would implicate you.¡± Gu Shen silently lowered his head, chuckled quietly, and said nothing. That old guy... He must be busy dealing with the Council and his opponents¡¯ impeachment. Yet he still found time to take care of his pupil¡¯s case. ¡°Those two guys who attempted to assassinate me...didn¡¯t you extract their genes?¡± asked Gu Shen, ¡°The investigation shouldn¡¯t be too difficult, should it?¡± ¡°Although the deep sea library saves the genetic data of citizens from all five continents, not every search yields results.¡± Mr. Cui Zhongcheng said, ¡°Extraordinary Ability is an unexplainable ¡®mutation¡¯ that violates the order and logic established by science... The genetic data collected at the scene has not yet received a response from the library search. We may need some time to produce the results.¡± He glanced at Gu Shen. ¡°But I can provide you with some leads.¡± ¡°Or rather... speculations.¡± Mr. Xiao Cui spoke softly, ¡°The assassination took place before the Judgement Institute decided to induct you... In fact, until now, the fact that you passed the evaluation and received an ¡®S-level¡¯ rating is something almost no one knows.¡± ¡°Therefore, this assassination attempt was not targeted at you. You were just a pawn, and those behind the scenes were aiming at Zhou Jiren, I suspect. They got wind of A-009¡¯s escape and wanted to use this to create enough chaos.¡± At this point, Gu Shen frowned, ¡°Do you mean... this was carried out by those who wanted to impeach my teacher?¡± The first people that came to his mind were Zhu Wang and Han Dang. ¡°No, no, no...¡± Mr. Cui Zhongcheng shook his head, his voice gentle, ¡°Zhu Wang and Han Dang would not do something so tasteless. The style of this incident is too crazy, blowing up a residential building and attracting everyone¡¯s attention. Nobody can prevent a deliberate explosion, those people are most likely the extremists who oppose the ¡®Awakening Decree.''¡± ¡°Wait a minute...¡± Gu Shen was somewhat perplexed, ¡°What is the ¡®Awakening Decree¡¯?¡± Mr. Cui Zhongcheng frowned, ¡°Your teacher didn¡¯t tell you?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right... You¡¯ve been preparing for the evaluation, if you hadn¡¯t passed, there would have been no need to know about the decree.¡± Mr. Cui Zhongcheng stood quietly in front of the lake, watching the crowd passing by on the opposite shore. ¡°The awakening of Extraordinary Ability... has been confirmed to be controllable by humans. There have been successful cases, and not just one. The two big cities of the East Continent Council, Changye and Da Du, have had intense debates and serious divisions over this matter. Some believe that ¡®Extraordinary Awakening¡¯ is a secret to be kept from the public, while others think the decree should be pushed down to allow every citizen to benefit from Extraordinary Power.¡± A breeze blew past. The casual few words from Mr. Xiao Cui made Gu Shen feel incredibly burdened. The Awakening Decree... those four words contained an enormous amount of information. The Council had mastered the power to enable ordinary people to experience Extraordinary Awakening... Were they planning to turn everyone into Transcendents? The advancement of such a significant event was like a torrential current. And he was like an insignificant ant. At that moment, he realized his ignorance and powerlessness. ¡°It¡¯s too crazy...¡± Gu Shen muttered, ¡°If this news got out, everyone would... go mad, right?¡± It was unimaginable, what the world would become once the decree was announced. How would order be maintained? ¡°Some support it, others resist, but all from a stance of self-interest. No one knows what the world will look like tomorrow.¡± Mr. Cui Zhongcheng¡¯s voice was lighter than the wind, ¡°Think about it... you sleep once and Deep Sea emerges out of nowhere, sleep again and this computer is connected to the five continents. The speed of this era¡¯s development is too fast; the only lesson we can learn is... you must board the ship of the new world as soon as possible to reach the further shore.¡± It was hard to imagine that this man, who exuded an air of antiquity, would speak such radical and innovative words. ¡°You... are right.¡± Gu Shen rubbed his brow, saying, ¡°So... does my teacher support the decree?¡± ¡°Yes. The others from the various continents, as well as the highest seats in the Council, mostly support it... You¡¯ll know the real reason eventually. This may not necessarily be a bad thing for humanity,¡± said Mr. Cui Zhongcheng calmly, ¡°But there are some who are stuck in the old ways, some obstinate individuals who refuse to accept the changes of the times, hiding themselves in every corner of the world.¡± ¡°Of course... not wanting to embrace change isn¡¯t a sin. We should allow some to appreciate and love the old era.¡± Mr. Xiao Cui smiled, ¡°Even if all books in the world can be accessed online, there will still be people who would sit in a library with a book all day.¡± At this, he blinked, whispering, ¡°You know... I¡¯m that kind of person.¡± ¡°Actually, I am, too...¡± Gu Shen said softly. No wonder. No wonder the first time I met Mr. Shu, when he drove me home, he said a new era was coming. The matter of the Awakening Decree was a huge shock to Gu Shen. He organized his thoughts. ¡°Some have concealed themselves; others have thrown themselves into the fray.¡± ¡°What you just mentioned, some of them... they are not just reluctant to accept change but are resistant, antagonistic, and even wish to destroy everything.¡± Gu Shen tentatively asked, ¡°So, the two Transcendents who attempted to assassinate me are the extremists against the Awakening Decree?¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± Mr. Cui Zhongcheng smiled, ¡°You understood quickly.¡± ¡°Personally, I suspect that these two assassins may be from the ¡®Changjiu Foundation,¡¯ a notorious organization of extremist Transcendents whose real nest location is unknown. However, a significant number of zealot Believers are lurking in various parts of the five continents. When they were captured in recent years, they chose to end their lives through extreme means, like self-destructing, so there wouldn¡¯t be any evidence left at the scene. Moreover, their genetic data is, for some reasons, virtually untraceable in the deep sea library.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s pupils shrank. ¡°They failed this time, probably because they did not expect that the two Transcendents they sent would be killed by an ¡®ordinary person¡¯ like you.¡± Mr. Xiao Cui chuckled, ¡°Thanks to you, relatively complete genetic data was preserved at the scene. Maybe this is an opportunity for a breakthrough. If they really are members of the Changjiu Foundation, we can trace it back to find other lurkers.¡± Chapter 56 - 56 54 Dinner Party ?56: Chapter 54: Dinner Party 56: Chapter 54: Dinner Party Old Cheng Hotpot Restaurant. This was an old hotpot place tucked away in a secluded alley of the Qinghe District, very popular and usually required reservations in advance. The second floor had an outdoor terrace where the evening breeze wafted the delicious scent of simmering broth. Tonight, the terrace on the second floor had been booked by three young people. ¡°It smells so good¡ª¡ª¡±p> Zhong Wei took a deep breath and swallowed, ¡°Where is that pot fragrance coming from? It smells amazing. I¡¯m about to cry from the craving. How much longer until Xiao Gu arrives?¡± Senior Sister Luo tapped him with her still-wrapped chopsticks, warning, ¡°Just wait patiently. No one is allowed to start eating until Xiao Gu gets here.¡± Soon after. The hotpot was served, a large chunk of butter melting over a thin layer of tea, slowly stewed on a low flame. The butter melted completely, releasing the slow and enticing aroma of Sichuan peppercorns bubbling away. ¡°No wonder Teacher found this hotpot place...¡± Zhong Wei gazed at the spicy red oil hotpot and remarked, ¡°It¡¯s so well hidden, it must be delicious. I won¡¯t touch the food, but can I taste the broth first?¡± Senior Sister Luo glared at him. Zhong Wei sheepishly withdrew the spoon. Clearing his throat, Zhong Wei changed the subject and spoke earnestly, ¡°Speaking of which... Xiao Gu has really taken us by surprise. Those people in the evaluation group are tough characters, they don¡¯t seem like the type to go easy on anyone. How did he pass the evaluation?¡± Dressed in casual, comfortable clothes, Nan Jin sat at the edge of the terrace, an arm resting on the railing. She looked out over the street corner beyond the alley and said softly, ¡°I think, Gu Shen is hiding something up his sleeve. Dream interpretation... it might well be his specialty. Do you remember Han Dang¡¯s final expression?¡± The brother and sister caught each other¡¯s eye. At Gu Shen¡¯s apartment, when the locked box was opened, Han Dang¡¯s expression was one of utter astonishment and shock. ¡°You mean, it¡¯s very possible... at the welfare institute, Han Dang had already clashed with Gu Shen,¡± Zhong Wei narrowed his eyes, finding the matter increasingly interesting, ¡°And Han Dang, the Old Fox, got duped by Gu Shen.¡± ¡°Interesting...¡± Luo Er also became intrigued, murmuring, ¡°No wonder Han Dang wanted to snatch the locked box at the apartment... He thought there was crucial evidence inside. Turns out, he was completely deceived by Gu Shen.¡± ¡°Han Dang¡¯s ability is called ¡®Truth Domain¡¯, he can create a powerful spiritual domain, forcibly dragging people into ¡®Dreams¡¯, where no one can lie to him.¡± Zhong Wei spoke rapidly, ¡°So he pulled Gu Shen into a dream, thinking he had found clues within the ¡®Truth Domain¡¯, but in reality, the clues were entirely fabricated.¡± ¡°Impressive...¡± Brother Zhong muttered, ¡°So, the real situation is that Gu Shen found a loophole in Han Dang¡¯s dream? It¡¯s incredible...¡± ¡°What the truth is, we can¡¯t know, and it¡¯s not important anymore... The evaluation is over.¡± ¡°What¡¯s certain is that Xiao Gu is not as simple as we thought.¡± Senior Sister Luo shook her head with a smile, ¡°We all underestimated him previously, but he managed to get an ¡®S-rating¡¯ and even broke several records at the Judgement Institute.¡± She thought back to what Gu Shen had said to her at the training grounds. The young man had done it. It hadn¡¯t been easy, but it was remarkable. ¡°Here they come.¡± Nan Jin spoke softly and at the same time pulled up the duckbill cap that was next to her on the table, pressing it firmly onto her head. Zhong Wei was initially puzzled by Nan Jin¡¯s action of donning the cap, but then he understood why. The roar of an engine echoed in his ears. An extremely eye-catching, jet-black convertible supercar drifted around the corner, followed by a sharp braking that left two streaks of tire marks on the ground. Everyone¡¯s gaze was drawn to one point. ¡°Ah ha¡ª¡±p> ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting!¡± Cigar in mouth, the old man sprayed a large puff of smoke upward under the watchful eyes of those around him, warmly greeting his disciples on the second-floor terrace. Mr. Shu had changed into a flamboyant white tuxedo, looking like a high-profile guest ready for a state dinner, whereas Gu Shen was covering his face tightly, unwilling to be exposed under the public gaze. This old man, does he have some kind of social awesomeness syndrome? Who dresses like this... to eat hotpot! ... ... ¡°You guys, why the long faces? Afraid of being seen?¡± ¡°Relax, the second floor is already booked.¡± Zhou Jiren said as he climbed up to the rooftop and saw his three disciples each wearing hats and crouching, he couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°After eating hotpot, I still have to meet a friend, so it¡¯s better to be a bit more formal in dress. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t mind being a simple citizen in a tank top and shorts.¡± Gu Shen, who was following behind, reached the rooftop and let out a long sigh of relief. The ordeal of the journey was finally over. Gu Shen couldn¡¯t count how many people had been giving him strange looks, filled with surprise, envy, jealousy, disdain and the like. He felt something was wrong the moment he got into that sports car... He only regretted that he was too young, his skin was too thin, and he hadn¡¯t had the experience of spending day and night with a certain old fellow. If he had to do it over, he would choose to wear a thick mask. Mr. Shu took off his coat and sat down, flicking the ashes from his cigarette, he hinted, ¡°Everyone must be feeling impatient, right? Gu Shen¡¯s review should have finished earlier, but he was pulled aside by Cui Zhongcheng for a private chat lasting two hours.¡± Zhong Wei cast a meaningful look at Gu Shen and said with a smile, ¡°Oh? Cui Zhongcheng is quite the formidable figure. What did you two talk about? Come clean!¡± ¡°Actually, we just walked around Da Teng Academy a few times.¡± Gu Shen also took off his coat and said helplessly, ¡°The review is over... He asked me what I wanted.¡± ¡°You got an ¡®S grade,¡¯ that¡¯s why you had this meeting. Everyone¡¯s opinion of Cui Zhongcheng is pretty consistent: he¡¯s an efficient but heartlessly strict machine. He talked to you simply because you have value.¡± Senior Sister Luo asked, ¡°What demands did you make?¡± So this was everyone¡¯s impression of Mr. Xiao Cui? Gu Shen was a bit surprised. He could indeed feel the high efficiency in getting things done. But heartlessly strict... he never got that feeling, on the contrary, there were qualities about Mr. Xiao Cui that made him feel warmth and even a faint sense of identification. ¡°My demands weren¡¯t much...¡± Gu Shen said as he counted on his fingers, ¡°Just some assurances for the kids at the welfare institute. And to keep the matter about my grandma hidden from the public.¡± The people at the table exchanged looks. A brief silence. ¡°...¡± Zhong Wei asked, ¡°That¡¯s it? Just these?¡± ¡°Should there be more?¡± Gu Shen was somewhat bewildered, ¡°Oh, right... I also asked him to thoroughly investigate the fire incident.¡± ¡°Those demands, they are hardly demands at all. Didn¡¯t you propose any... more substantial conditions?¡± Zhong Wei quickly said, ¡°Like, a high-level access to Deep Sea, top-tier breathing techniques, or selecting Extraordinary Sealed Objects?¡± ¡°This...¡± Gu Shen was stupefied, ¡°Is that an option?¡± Too young. Poverty had limited his imagination. During his conversation with Cui Zhongcheng, he hadn¡¯t contemplated in that direction at all. Compared to what Brother Zhong had mentioned, his own demands were indeed trivial and mundane, no wonder the look in Cui Zhongcheng¡¯s eyes then was so... memorable. As an S-grade, fulfilling his demands was truly too simple. ¡°Ah ha¡ª¡± Mr. Shu laughed and patted Gu Shen on the shoulder, ¡°I think Xiao Gu made good choices! Zhao Xilai and Cui Zhongcheng are not good guys; there¡¯s no need to take those kinds of advantages from them!¡± When Cui Zhongcheng was mentioned, Nan Jin had been silent all the while. She stood quietly by the rooftop, letting the wind blow as her gaze swept across the night sky gradually enveloping in darkness. ¡°Alright, alright. The review is behind us now.¡± The old fox raised his glass with a smile and said, ¡°Let¡¯s raise our glasses tonight to celebrate the Judgement Institute¡¯s new S-grade talent!¡± Chapter 57 - 57 55 Extraordinary Trial ?57: Chapter 55 Extraordinary Trial 57: Chapter 55 Extraordinary Trial Night had fallen. On the second-floor rooftop of a narrow alley, steam from the hot pot wafted about, while tripe and beef tumbled in spicy red oil. ¡°Cheers!¡± ¡°Ding!¡± Glasses clinked together, producing a crisp sound. Gu Shen slowly finished an entire glass of liquor. He felt everything was as elusive as a dream... When he had left the orphanage, he had imagined what his future life might look like, likely a solitary one, so every time he passed the alleys late at night and saw people clinking glasses and drinking heartily in the corner stores, he never imagined himself taking part. Perhaps he wasn¡¯t that alone. It was just that no one had ever toasted to him before. But now, someone had. ¡°Three consecutive dream interpretations... These auditors, they really are despicable!¡± Zhong Wei had listened to the day¡¯s audit process and slammed the table, exclaiming angrily, ¡°If anything went wrong with our Xiao Gu, could they take responsibility?¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Mr. Shu, puffing on his cigar and leaning back slightly, declared righteously, ¡°They¡¯ve gone too far!¡± ¡°So...¡± Zhong Wei immediately continued, ¡°Teacher, can you tolerate this? They haven¡¯t left Qing River yet, there¡¯s still time to take action!¡± ¡°Cough cough!¡± Mr. Shu choked on a large puff of smoke. ¡°Enough.¡± Luo Er saw through Zhong Wei¡¯s ¡°ulterior motives¡± and quickly helped the teacher out, smilingly saying, ¡°Let¡¯s just drink and curse behind their backs. Those dukes were just doing their duty, after all... Plus, Xiao Gu tearing up the ¡®Ghost Cage¡¯, it¡¯s already lucky that Judge Tang hasn¡¯t troubled us.¡± At this, Gu Shen scratched his head somewhat awkwardly. ¡°Ghost Cage...¡± Nan Jin sipped her drink slowly and said softly, ¡°The interpretations for Green Dice and Time Sand, I can understand as... your talent being sufficient. But the Ghost Cage, how did you manage to slay ghosts within one minute?¡± The Ghost Cage represented a concrete malicious intent, which needed time. The third dream interpretation had only taken a minute. This could basically be understood as... just as the malicious intent had concretely emerged, it was instantly annihilated by Gu Shen! ¡°It¡¯s related to my extraordinary ability...¡± Gu Shen thought for a moment, then said, ¡°My extraordinary power... it seems to have been unexpectedly released during that dream.¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be freely controlled in reality, but, in specific dreams, it can be fully exhibited.¡± Mr. Shu lounged lazily, ¡°The audit team¡¯s key words for Xiao Gu¡¯s ability characteristics were ¡®Blazing Light¡¯ and ¡®Tearing¡¯. This is most likely a power not yet recorded on the Transcendent Genealogy Map.¡± ¡°Blazing Light and tearing...¡± Nan Jin muttered, ¡°It does fit.¡± The two Transcendents involved in the fire incident had died like this. ¡°His ability still needs to be gradually figured out,¡± Senior Sister Luo said. ¡°But this time, having passed the review, Gu Shen has gained the access to enter the ¡®deep water area¡¯ to participate in the Extraordinary Trial.¡± ¡°Deep water area... Extraordinary Trial?¡± ¡°Since you¡¯re already aware of the existence of ¡®Transcendents¡¯, it¡¯s not hard to guess... Deep Sea links the five continents, and it¡¯s not just about linking all citizens in a simple way,¡± Luo Er said softly. ¡°Beyond the virtual network we use on a daily basis, Deep Sea has built a vast Spirit Network. Humans with Extraordinary spiritual power can deeply connect through chips and network technology.¡± ¡°Our usual ¡®Deep Sea¡¯, is the network in the ¡®shallow water area¡¯, covering the daily lives, entertainment, and leisure of five billion humans. ¡± ¡°But beneath the shallow water area... Deep Sea still has expansive Spiritual Sea Domains yet to be explored. This is known as the ¡®deep water area¡¯, also called the ¡®Extraordinary Sea¡¯.¡± Zhong Wei took over the conversation from Senior Sister Luo, his expression solemn, and he seriously raised a finger, ¡°Entering the Extraordinary Sea requires strong spiritual power, a place beyond the reach of ordinary people.¡± ¡°After Deep Sea was developed, it created too many miracles, and as for its true potential... the Council is also researching,¡± Luo Er said. ¡°It clearly has no life, yet it seems to have acquired intelligence, autonomously establishing this Spirit Network with the Transcendents. Each Transcendent connected to Deep Sea, through their Spiritual Cultivation within the sea, provides it with computing power, and in return, it also opens different access rights for us.¡± ¡°This...¡± Gu Shen had never imagined that Deep Sea, which he was familiar with, was such a machine: ¡°It appears... like it seeks help from the ¡®Transcendents¡¯?¡± ¡°Well said, it indeed is help, mutual help,¡± Mr. Shu finally spoke. He flicked his cigar gently, adding, ¡°Transcendents and Deep Sea have formed a delicate balance. It needs the powerful spirit of the Transcendents for auxiliary computation, and the Transcendents also need Deep Sea for connection and to stabilize themselves.¡± ¡°Inside the Council, Transcendents are distinguished by the depth they reach in the Extraordinary Sea Domain... clearly delineating strengths and weaknesses,¡± Luo Er looked at Gu Shen. ¡°Currently, the deep water area has basically been explored... totaling twelve layers of sea domain.¡± ¡°This, is the Extraordinary Trial?¡± Gu Shen absorbed the message from his senior sister, frowning, ¡°Based on that... wouldn¡¯t Spiritual Transcendents have a greater advantage in exploring the Extraordinary Sea Domain?¡± ¡°Yes, but not exactly,¡± Senior Sister Luo laughed. ¡°You understand Surprise Awaken. In the practice of Extraordinary, both the physical body and spirit progress together. If the balance is off, there¡¯s a risk of ¡®losing control¡¯. In the Extraordinary Trial of the deep water area in Deep Sea, Spiritual Transcendents might progress faster in their exploration, but it will take comparably longer to assimilate the advancement after completion. This is because the ¡®physical body¡¯ of a Spiritual Extraordinary hasn¡¯t caught up with the ¡®spirit¡¯ development yet.¡± Gu Shen somewhat understood. If there was a Transcendent, with extremely strong spiritual power, who had completed a layer¡¯s trial but whose physical body was not strong enough, then exploring the next layer of the Extraordinary Sea... might lead to losing control over oneself. ¡°When Deep Sea initially connected Transcendents, the Transcendent Genealogy Map was only in a rudimentary form. Many who had Extraordinary Power only displayed fragmented traits... But as the exploration of the twelve layers of Deep Sea progressed, they gradually understood their own Extraordinary Traits and eventually mastered them,¡± Luo Er slowly said: ¡°Of course... these twelve layers are not as simple as you might think. Having completed the exploration of the first three layers means understanding the essence of one¡¯s Extraordinary Ability, but just these three layers... have stumped 90% of the Extraordinary Awakened.¡± The first three layers, stumping ninety percent of Transcendents? What about Senior Sister and the teacher then... Gu Shen looked at Senior Sister Luo, then at Mr. Shu, curiosity prompting him to speak, but reasoning told him... it was better not to ask. Their faces... were marked with invincibility. ¡°If one could complete all twelve layers of the Extraordinary Trial, then the East Continent Council will grant a specific title, and regard him as a distinguished guest; such Transcendents are extremely rare, powerful enough to dominate across the five continents,¡± Brother Zhong suddenly laughed. He leaned forward, meaningfully adding: ¡°By the way, the reason he¡¯s called ¡®Mr. Shu¡¯... is because his title is, ¡®Sky-reaching Tree¡¯!¡± Indeed. No need to ask, Mr. Shu was an absolute powerhouse who cleared all twelve trials. But Gu Shen just sighed deeply. He found it very hard to associate the scruffy old man beside him with a magnificent ¡®Sky-reaching Tree¡¯. ¡°Xiao Gu, it¡¯s time to think about your own title, I have high hopes for you,¡± Brother Zhong laughed heartily. ¡°In the future, when I can¡¯t beat someone and need to flee, I¡¯ll just use your name.¡± Chapter 58 - 58 56 Being Alive ?58: Chapter 56: Being Alive 58: Chapter 56: Being Alive ¡°Senior Brother...¡± Gu Shen laughed helplessly and said, ¡°Stop making fun of me.¡± He was well aware, that he was still far too far from being Titled. Deep Sea connection, Extraordinary Trials... Inside the Ghost Cage, Gu Shen hadn¡¯t had the chance to communicate more with Chu Ling before the Dream ended. He was now eager to connect with Chu Ling and inquire about the matters of the deep water area. ¡°Xiao Gu, Han Dang¡¯s issue has been resolved,¡± Senior Sister Luo suddenly said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about him targeting you in the future... I¡¯ve hypnotized him.¡± Gu Shen was startled. This scene felt familiar... Han Dang probably never thought that he¡¯d be hypnotized one day, did he? No wonder my review went so smoothly, being called out of the review group to discuss some secret matter most likely had to do with Han Dang submitting a report against me. However, the two were rumored to be evenly matched opponents... Senior Sister¡¯s use of Mental Hypnosis on Han Dang, it didn¡¯t come at a great cost, did it? Gu Shen looked attentively, feeling that Senior Sister Luo¡¯s spiritual power was as stable and profound as ever. Like a towering mountain, too high to see the peak. It didn¡¯t seem like she had paid any price. Gu Shen stopped guessing; it wasn¡¯t something he could figure out anyway. He sincerely said, ¡°Thank you, Senior Sister.¡± ¡°Why mention it? Since you call me Senior Sister, of course, I will protect you,¡± Senior Sister Luo waved her hand, ¡°Whatever happened between you and Han Dang before is not important. I don¡¯t want to pry, nor do I want to know what ¡®trump cards¡¯ you have. But when you¡¯re on your own out there, you might encounter many ¡®Han Dangs.¡¯ Transcendents stronger than Han Dang are rare but many have cruel intentions.¡± Luo Er paused, asking meaningfully, ¡°Do you understand what I mean by all this?¡± Gu Shen¡¯s expression became solemn. Her words, like a bucket of cold water, instantly sobered him. Of course, he understood! The conflict he had with Han Dang in the orphanage... It was uneventful because Han Dang didn¡¯t harbor the intent to kill him. If Han Dang were a madman, set on taking him down in the Dream at all costs... Then he would already be a corpse. He was feeling somewhat relieved now. Thank goodness Han Dang was convinced that he was just an ordinary person without any Extraordinary Ability. ¡°I... will remember this firmly.¡± Gu Shen took Senior Sister¡¯s advice to heart. ¡°Most Spiritual Extraordinaries can employ hypnotism. I can¡¯t guarantee my hypnosis will affect Han Dang for life. Perhaps in the future, he¡¯ll realize that his subconscious has been influenced,¡± Senior Sister Luo said indifferently, ¡°Of course, given Han Dang¡¯s talent, this process will take at least three to five years even at the fastest... Consider it a preventative shot I¡¯ve given you in advance.¡± Listening to the beginning, Gu Shen wiped sweat from his brow. Hearing the latter part, he gave a wry smile. It turned out that their being evenly matched was just what I had assumed... From Senior Sister¡¯s tone, their difference was more than just a little bit. ¡°I will be leaving Qing River tomorrow.¡± Senior Sister Luo said, ¡°It¡¯s not just me, Zhong Wei, Nan Jin... they will all leave. Of course, you¡¯re no exception, where¡¯s your next mission?¡± ¡°Mr. Xiao Cui hasn¡¯t told me.¡± Gu Shen scratched his head, ¡°He just said a special plane will come to pick me up tomorrow and that I should just wait for the news. It seems like someone has already arranged my mission, and it sounds rather simple... It probably isn¡¯t a high-risk task like containing out-of-control ones or searching for sealed items.¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± Senior Sister Luo looked at the teacher with a meaningful glance. Zhou Jiren leaned back in his seat with his eyes closed, pretending to sleep in a rather poor act. ¡°Where we go no longer matters,¡± Luo Er said indifferently. ¡°People like us, once awakened as Transcendents, are destined to gather rarely and part often... Xiao Gu, what¡¯s important is to stay alive.¡± ¡°To live is the simplest yet most complex state. It¡¯s not just about breathing and being able to open your eyes, as simple as that.¡± Gu Shen saw the clear depths of his senior sister¡¯s eyes. Every single word seemed to slow down incredibly. ¡°Out-of-control Transcendents are no different from the dead. Over the years, I¡¯ve seen many tragedies... those who pursued power got lost on the path of life, never to return.¡± Her voice was very gentle, tinged with sadness, ¡°So... for the sake of our next reunion, we must live well.¡± These words felt strangely familiar. Gu Shen¡¯s thoughts slowed down in that instant. [¡°To live...¡±] Those were the words Chu Ling had said to him. He had never thought that such a simple phrase as ¡°to live¡± could have a deeper, more complicated interpretation... Another voice brought him back to reality. ¡°Cough cough, Xiao Gu, come on! Let¡¯s have one!¡± Zhong Wei opened a bottle of alcohol and gave it a hard knock, winking at Gu Shen: ¡°Senior Sister means well... She just tends to think of things in a worst-case scenario. We are all good and hard-working people, so of course, we will live well, won¡¯t we?¡± At the same moment. He used his Extraordinary Ability to send a few words privately to Gu Shen. ¡°Do you remember... the Extraordinary incident that caused the change in Senior Sister¡¯s body that I told you about?¡± ¡°When she first entered the Judgement Institute... there was a guy just like you in character. We were close friends, fought side by side, and shared everything. But in one Extraordinary incident, he exhausted all he had and ultimately couldn¡¯t suppress his power, resulting in losing control. It was Luo Er who personally executed him.¡± Gu Shen felt a jolt in his heart when he heard these words. He suddenly understood... why Senior Sister said those things to him. After learning about this past event, and reflecting on the past dozen days they spent together. From the first moment Senior Sister saw him, she¡¯d warned about the dangers of ¡°Transcendental loss of control,¡± and taught him the best breathing technique to stabilize spiritual power¡ª¡±Jingzhe¡±. When his Dream Interpretation results came out after just four hours, it was she who was the first to comfort him, saying the road ahead was long and to take it slow. Gu Shen knew that her words were sincere and comforting. But perhaps... there were also shadows of guilt over the past. ¡°Today is a day to be happy, so why be so sad?¡± Mr. Shu stopped pretending. He yawned and slowly opened his eyes: ¡°Those who died in battle in the past will never return, but it is their sacrifice that has brought us to today... Qingzhong in Changye provides a monument for them. We should remember the pain and move forward, but let¡¯s not dwell on yesterday. The dead cannot come back to life. Qi Ye would be proud of your achievement today, and I think he would not want to see you immersed in this sadness.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry...¡± Senior Sister Luo covered her forehead with one hand and let out a soft laugh: ¡°I¡¯ve had a bit too much to drink, so I can¡¯t help thinking about him... I just wish... he was still alive...¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Mr. Shu smiled and patted her shoulder, saying, ¡°When saying goodbye, drink a little more to remember the laughter and forget the worries. You have to believe... we will meet again, we will gather again.¡± Chapter 59 - 59 57 The Past ?59: Chapter 57 The Past 59: Chapter 57 The Past All good things come to an end. The old shop in the alleyway closed for the night, and the street corner lights dimmed. ¡°I¡¯m going to see an old friend.¡± Mr. Shu, with a cigar in his mouth, opened the car door and smiled, ¡°It¡¯s just past eleven, there¡¯s still time, who wants a ride?¡± Everyone hurriedly shook their heads in refusal. No one wanted to get into the teacher¡¯s car in the middle of the night and be sliced by people¡¯s stares on the streets. ¡°What a lack of taste in young people,¡± Zhou Jiren put on sunglasses and silently started the engine by himself. He waved his hand and sped away with a roar. As the supercar disappeared from sight, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°In my opinion, the teacher¡¯s taste...¡± Zhong Wei shook his head and clicked his tongue, ¡°Is inversely proportional to his strength.¡± ¡°Indeed, there¡¯s a bit of...¡± Luo Er sighed softly, ¡°Uniqueness.¡± ¡°It should be a bit more than a bit.¡± Gu Shen said with a wry smile, ¡°Do you know how painful my journey here was?¡± ¡°If it were me...¡± Nan Jin said seriously for the first time, ¡°I definitely wouldn¡¯t get in the teacher¡¯s car.¡± The four of them leaned against the street corner and exchanged glances. Then, they couldn¡¯t help but laugh out loud together. After the laughter in the wind had slowly ceased, it was tinged with a trace of the bittersweetness of parting. ¡°Alright. I don¡¯t have a private jet like some S-rank to pick me up.¡± Luo Er smiled, ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on farewells, everyone take care.¡± Zhong Wei chuckled softly and said, ¡°I¡¯ll walk Senior Sister Luo.¡± And so two figures walked away into the distance. Then when the wind picked up again, Only two solitary figures remained on the street corner. Gu Shen, Nan Jin. ... ... ¡°It¡¯s not too far from the apartment here... I plan to walk back.¡± Nan Jin walked slowly along the street corner, her shadow elongated slowly on the wall by the distant street lights. She looked at her companion, ¡°What about you?¡± ¡°Hey, coincidentally, that¡¯s what I was thinking too.¡± Gu Shen was amused when he heard this, ¡°You don¡¯t know, it¡¯s expensive to take a taxi in Qinghe District at night. Walking back is good, and actually, if you¡¯re in a hurry, I could even run part of the way with you.¡± Nan Jin smiled silently. Gu Shen realized that this seemed to be the first time he had seen Nan Jin smile tonight. Tonight¡¯s dinner... she seemed to have something on her mind the entire time. She barely spoke and just drank quietly by herself. ¡°I¡¯m leaving Qing River tomorrow, and I still don¡¯t know what the next mission is...¡± Gu Shen murmured, ¡°Senior Sister Luo is going to Changye, and Brother Zhong will probably go with her... Nan Jin, you haven¡¯t said, what are your plans next?¡± Nan Jin had been silent all evening. No one knew where she was going next. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Her reply was simple, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for A-009¡¯s escape, I probably would have already left Qing River. According to my usual routine, I would carry out tasks without break.¡± ¡°What about now?¡± Gu Shen asked curiously. ¡°I want to stop and rest for a while,¡± Nan Jin¡¯s answer was still brief. ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Gu Shen thought for a moment, ¡°If you feel tired, then take a good rest.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not tired.¡± Nan Jin¡¯s voice sounded a bit helpless and a bit irritable. However, Gu Shen was oblivious. He scratched his head, ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t really understand your Transcendents¡¯ desperate ways... Although I also have missions now, I still think about going back to Wulaoshan every now and then to see grandma and the kids. By the way, what about your family? If you¡¯re thinking of resting, would you want to go back to see them?¡± Nan Jin¡¯s gaze flickered for a moment. This time, she said nothing. ¡°Teacher and senior brothers and sisters all say that you¡¯re too relentless,¡± Gu Shen continued to mutter to himself, ¡°I¡¯m quite curious, is there a reason why you must be so relentless?¡± ¡°...¡± Nan Jin stopped in her tracks. Gu Shen was stunned for a moment, only to see Nan Jin wave her hand, and a taxi slowly pulled to a stop in the distance. ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand, this is the taxi I called for you.¡± Nan Jin said softly, ¡°I wanted to walk back alone. But you¡¯re too noisy.¡± Gu Shen: ¡°???¡± ¡°I wish you smooth sailing on your mission.¡± With one hand, Nan Jin pushed Gu Shen¡¯s head into the car and said indifferently, ¡°Next time we meet, don¡¯t talk so much.¡± After sending Gu Shen away. Nan Jin felt as if the whole world had become peaceful. She let out a long breath, leaning against the wall of the street as if a great burden had been lifted. The night had deepened. The corner of the street flickered with dim, patchy light, and dark shadows on the walls bowed their heads. The light seemed to sway and transform, and the sound of the wind carried with it a scent of blood. Nan Jin softly murmured a name to herself. ¡°Cui Zhongcheng...¡± ... ... ¡°Nan Jin, that person... went too far...¡± Being stuffed into a taxi against his will, Gu Shen dared to be angry but did not dare to speak out. Actually, he wasn¡¯t that angry... He had felt it during the dinner, after a particular name was mentioned, Nan Jin¡¯s expression had subtly changed. Cui Zhongcheng. When investigating Han Dang¡¯s archives, Gu Shen had actually tried to casually look at other people¡¯s files... Senior Sister Luo and Mr. Shu¡¯s files were classified with a higher degree of secrecy than Han Dang¡¯s, Brother Zhong¡¯s were normally accessible. But Nan Jin¡¯s files were secretly sealed. The level of secrecy of her files was extremely high; as far as Chu Ling¡¯s current Qinghe District authorization could break, it still wasn¡¯t possible. This was actually a detail worthy of attention. Senior Sister Luo and Teacher¡¯s files were classified because they possessed extraordinarily powerful abilities... While Nan Jin¡¯s strength was good, it wasn¡¯t to the extent that Deep Sea would utilize authorities to seal it off to such a degree. The archives sealed off her past. And she... clearly did not want to bring up her own past. ¡°Tsk tsk... senior brothers and sisters, each has their own story,¡± Gu Shen put on his headphones and played a song, muttering to himself, ¡°In novels, these types of relentless characters usually carry unrelenting grudges...¡± Instead of playing the song smoothly, a rustling sound came through the headphones. ¡°Maybe the person is just simply hard at cultivation?¡± Chu Ling connected in a second and reminded very seriously, ¡°You should not harbor malicious thoughts about other people¡¯s past experiences!¡± ¡°Sorry, sorry...¡± Gu Shen was startled and quickly apologized, ¡°You¡¯ve been listening all along, huh? Can¡¯t I have a little privacy?¡± ¡°I only connect to surrounding devices when you are alone,¡± snorted Chu Ling, ¡°Who cares about your little privacy.¡± Gu Shen noticed that the taxi driver was looking at him with a strange expression. His muttering just now... probably all heard... and now he was responding to nothing. He hoped he wouldn¡¯t be mistaken for a lunatic. ¡°Ahem...¡± Gu Shen lowered his voice, talking in a volume only the two could hear, ¡°Miss Chu... your timing couldn¡¯t be better, I¡¯ve been longing day and night, and finally, I¡¯ve longed for you.¡± Chapter 60 - 60 58 Tavern ?60: Chapter 58: Tavern 60: Chapter 58: Tavern Qinghe District, one o¡¯clock in the morning. A very secluded old bar, under the neon lights, the signboard dim. An old man in a white suit, leaning on a purple wooden cane, slowly walked into the bar. Perhaps because it was a remote location, although it should have been open for business, the bar was empty. Zhou Jiren came to the bar, lit a cigarette, glanced inside the counter, and tapped on the tabletop. ¡°Thud thud.¡± The trembling sound was not loud. But two taps, the entire bar countertop, including the huge display cabinet and shelves behind it, seemed to ripple outwards. If there were other customers in the bar, they would see the space seeming like a lake, rippling uniformly with the two taps. From inside the shadowy darkness of the bar, someone suddenly opened their eyes. A flash of light shot from their eyes. It was hard to believe that this flash came from a tattered old man. He was draped in a thin cloth like a beggar, under which his skinny frame resembled a skeleton, his eye sockets hollow and looking not quite awake, tightly holding a greasy-looking liquor bottle in his hand. The two old men, each in their light and shadow, making a stark contrast in their attire, physique, and spirit. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect your business to be so bad... Surely I¡¯m not your only customer?¡± Mr. Shu slowly sat on the bar stool, passing the lit cigarette over. The tattered old man took it, took a deep drag, and chuckled softly, his voice as raspy as a skeleton¡¯s. ¡°Besides you, who would come to such a bar to drink?¡± He took out a stemmed glass from the display cabinet and expertly mixed something under the counter, then placed it in front of Mr. Shu a moment later. ¡°Rum, lemon, ice, coffee, honey... Hmm... the familiar taste of freedom, just a bit strange.¡± Zhou Jiren sipped, frowned while looking at his glass, and murmured, ¡°You didn¡¯t slip anything extra in, did you?¡± ¡°No money, can¡¯t afford coffee, honey.¡± The old man, who had already finished a whole cigarette in two or three puffs, turned and began rearranging the display cabinet. Because of the ripple earlier, some liquor bottles had moved and others developed almost imperceptible cracks. He reached out a hand, brushing it over as if over a mirror, slowly wiping away. Those dry palms seemed to hold an incredible magic power. The residual tremors instantly disappeared, the subtle lingering ripples at this moment completely erased¡ª A buzzing sound faintly heard, was instantly cleared away. The bar fell so silent, you could hear a pin drop. ¡°No wonder you were once considered the undefeated man of Changye, even after abandoning cultivation for twenty years, you still are a lion.¡± Mr. Shu softly said, ¡°Bai Shu, are you planning to nest in this place for a lifetime?¡± ¡°...¡± The tattered old man named Bai Shu, having smoothed out the ripples on the liquor cabinet, sat back in the darkness, speaking softly, ¡°Defeating all in Changye was a joke... Even a hundred years of cultivation wouldn¡¯t make me a match for Gu Changzhi.¡± ¡°Think about it, without Gu Changzhi, being ¡®Changye Invincible¡¯ isn¡¯t too bad. There¡¯s no need to compare with him.¡± Mr. Shu sighed deeply. ¡°Besides,¡± he exhaled a puff of smoke, continuing leisurely, ¡°I admire a hero like you who can bend and stretch. Look... those who burn themselves out prematurely, which one has a good end? After Gu Changzhi came from outside, he¡¯s still laying down asleep, it¡¯s uncertain whether he can even wake up. Fight now, and you¡¯d surely win hands down.¡± ¡°Get lost!¡± Bai Shu spoke coldly, ¡°Zhou Jiren, if you came just to humiliate me... you¡¯ve achieved your purpose. The drink is finished, you can leave now.¡± ¡°Hold on, hold on... Let¡¯s talk this through.¡± Zhou Jiren immediately backed down, switching to a pleading smile, tapped a document bag on the counter, then passed over a box of cigars. Bai Shu furrowed his brow. He took the cigar but did not reach for the document bag. ¡°Allen Turing... A-009... Truth Ruler...¡± Mr. Shu spoke softly, uttering the secret language. After hearing some keywords, Bai Shu narrowed his eyes and slowly pressed on the document bag, dragging it in front of himself. He opened it expressionlessly and read it word by word. During this process, Zhou Jiren kept staring at Bai Shu¡¯s face, observing his expression. Seeing the confusion in Bai Shu¡¯s eyes as he had expected, Zhou Jiren smiled and said, ¡°This file is quite interesting, isn¡¯t it?¡± Bai Shu closed the file. ¡°A somewhat interesting young man,¡± he commented, ¡°a file that has nothing to do with me.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand... What¡¯s the use of showing me these?¡± He looked blankly at Mr. Shu and said, ¡°This world has developed too quickly, it has nothing to do with remnants of an old era like me. I just want to live underground, I only deserve to live underground.¡± ¡°You can go out and see for yourself, the young are doing well, but this world still belongs to us old timers.¡± Zhou Jiren shrugged his shoulders and smiled, ¡°But a single person¡¯s strength is ultimately weak. I haven¡¯t sought you all these years, haven¡¯t disturbed your life, but seeing this file, perhaps you should change your mind.¡± ¡°Never seek me out again.¡± Bai Shu did not hesitate even for a second. Expressionless, he said, ¡°Zhou Jiren, you should be well aware... if I wanted to step into the outside world, if I were still the man I was twenty years ago, you wouldn¡¯t have been able to enter this bar unharmed today. The moment you stepped through the door, I would have acted.¡± ¡°You were once my friend, but now...¡± Bai Shu leaned back slowly. ¡°What I detest the most... are the Council, the Judgement Institute, and people like you who knowingly sell out to them for their cause.¡± Mr. Shu fell silent. After saying all this, the bar returned to its extreme stillness. Bai Shu held the document bag and pushed it back to the side of the table. He spoke no more, and was too lazy to even open his eyes again, just waving his hand in a gesture like shooing a fly. This time, he was too lazy to speak again. ¡°...¡± Mr. Shu retrieved the document bag, stood up, walked to the entrance of the bar, stopped, and then returned again. In the shadows, Bai Shu still had his eyes closed, his brow furrowed, showing an impatient expression. ¡°No matter what you say... at least I am doing something that chases hope. Even if hope is faint, even if in the end she never revives,¡± Zhou Jiren said coldly, ¡°and you? Lying in a decrepit bar, half-buried in the ground, drinking and sleeping¡ªare you planning to fulfill your promises to her in your dreams?¡± Bai Shu opened his eyes. A fierce fire of fury blazed in his pupils. In an instant, something unfolded. The entire underground bar fell into absolute stillness¡ª including Mr. Shu. And the next moment, all the lights went out. Bai Shu closed his eyes. His voice was devoid of anger or sorrow, only endless emptiness and numbness. ¡°Fool...¡± ¡°Stop chasing,¡± he turned over and muttered in a dreamlike whisper, ¡°Hope is something that should never have existed.¡± Chapter 61 - 61 59 Deep Water Area ?61: Chapter 59 Deep Water Area 61: Chapter 59 Deep Water Area The night wind howled. The car was speeding at 120 miles per hour, flying down the road. For the third time, the driver looked back. He couldn¡¯t see a single figure in the rearview mirror, but someone¡¯s low murmur kept ringing in the taxi. At this moment, Gu Shen was nestled in the corner of the taxi. ¡°The assessment team got your Extraordinary Ability wrong.¡± He had a bellyful of questions that he hadn¡¯t had the chance to ask when Chu Ling took the initiative to speak. Right to the point. She always knew what he wanted to ask. ¡°They are right on one point: in the current Transcendent Genealogy Map, there indeed is no record of the power you possess. Their assessment, however, is that it combines the traits of ¡®Blazing Light¡¯ and ¡®Rending¡¯... In fact, that is not the case.¡± The voice in the earpiece said unhurriedly, ¡°To understand your Extraordinary Power, you first need to understand a concept... which is ¡®logic¡¯.¡± Gu Shen frowned. ¡°Logic...?¡± ¡°Not the ¡®logic¡¯ people commonly understand, but the ¡®logic¡¯ in the Extraordinary Domain,¡± Chu Ling said slowly. ¡°Everything has a structure, the vehicles you see now, the tall buildings and skyscrapers you can see out of the window, the grass growing in the cracks of the wilderness, up to the physical contours of all living things in this world... These all exist as ¡®logic¡¯ in the Extraordinary Domain.¡± Gu Shen furrowed his brows deeply. ¡°We are able to live, buildings are able to stand, and materials are able to have structure... all because their ¡®logic¡¯ exists.¡± Chu Ling said lightly, ¡°Since you know about Allen Turing, you should be able to guess at this point what I¡¯m trying to say. ¡®Logic¡¯ represents order, while ¡®Extraordinary¡¯ represents chaos.¡± He recalled Senior Sister Luo using her Extraordinary Power at the training grounds. Water running uphill. Broken Mirror Reunion. This was power that defied rules and order. This, was Transcendent. ¡°The essence of Ghost Cage is a sealed artifact without logic. Its own logical framework has been completely erased by the item¡¯s owner, retaining only the illogical Extraordinary Trait of reflecting malice... The higher the risk rating of the sealed artifact, the less logical it becomes. Therefore, the malice you witnessed in this Dream inherently represents a tearing of order.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s eyes lit up. He was beginning to understand what Chu Ling meant. ¡°You¡¯re saying... inside the Ghost Cage, the Blazing Light rending the world apart was just a facade. In actuality, ¡®Rending¡¯ is a trait of the Ghost Cage.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Chu Ling said gravely. ¡°It reflects the malevolence of the dreamer, and malevolence is responsible for destroying the entire Dream. Your Extraordinary Power... is a strong counter to this ¡®chaos,¡¯ resulting in the final scene you saw where the nightmare was torn apart. If you had stayed a little longer, you might have seen what follows the breaking of the canvas, a chaotic Dream in the Ghost Cage given logic by your hands, with a world in collapse forming a bastion... around you.¡± ¡°Your ability is not to rend, but to build. Not to destroy, but to create,¡± the girl¡¯s voice was very soft, ¡°But like two faces in a mirror, the worlds of Extraordinary Powers and order are completely opposed... That¡¯s why in the Dream, we see the Transcendent aspect completely torn apart, interesting isn¡¯t it? In a sense, you could be a demon who destroys the world too.¡± So... that¡¯s why his own malice was so immense. Gu Shen shivered. ¡°We¡¯re here!¡± The taxi driver slammed on the brakes and coldly looked at the young man who had been thrown into a heap, banging his head on the back seat: ¡°Young man, in the dead of night, cut out the mumbo jumbo, and stop playing ghost tricks!¡± Gu Shen got out of the taxi in a daze. He stood in front of his apartment for a long time, taking a deep breath. He reached out his hand towards the building in front of him. A cold breeze blew, and Gu Shen shivered, quickly withdrawing his hand. Chu Ling¡¯s laughter came through the earpiece. ¡°You overestimate yourself... The scene in the Ghost Cage was just a Dream. It was the Dreamland that magnified your malice to an endless height, giving you such grand power. In reality, you couldn¡¯t even kill a mosquito with your current Extraordinary Power, let alone bring down this building.¡± Gu Shen let out a huge sigh of relief, the scene from the Dream momentarily surfacing in his mind. He feared that with a simple pinch, he would see the entire building crushed into powder... ¡°Wait a minute...¡± Gu Shen realized, ¡°Are you saying that I can¡¯t even kill a mosquito now?¡± That is, way too weak! ¡°Regarding the assistance Deep Sea provides for linking to the deep water area, you should already be clear about that,¡± Chu Ling said indifferently, ¡°How much weight do you really carry? You only need to enter Deep Sea¡¯s Extraordinary Trial to find out.¡± ... ... Home at last. The light was warm. The orange cat¡¯s eyes twinkled with intelligent brilliance, already waiting at the table with a smile as the holographic screen powered on, displaying a loading image of a beach with sweeping waves. Gu Shen sat down in front of the holographic screen without delay. He took a deep breath. ¡°The link to Deep Sea currently still requires external devices for assistance... but that may soon no longer be necessary. The technology has almost been developed by them, and before long, everyone will be able to establish a connection with Deep Sea through a Spiritual Link,¡± Da Ju meowed and, standing on tiptoes, came to Gu Shen¡¯s side, ¡°Just like... I am doing now.¡± Gu Shen had speculated that Chu Ling was able to link with this orange cat because a chip had been implanted in Da Ju¡¯s body. The news about chip technology and Deep Sea link had indeed been out for a long time... but few dared to experiment on themselves. ¡°They...¡± ¡°Are you referring to the current members of the research institute?¡± Gu Shen murmured, ¡°The technology you and they use, is it not the same?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Chu Ling replied calmly, ¡°I am ahead of them. Of course... only for the moment.¡± Gu Shen looked at the orange cat with profound meaning. ¡°As for my secret... you will naturally find out in due time,¡± the orange cat licked its paw, ¡°Of course, if you want to know now, I will tell you everything.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t wish to tell me, I won¡¯t ask,¡± Gu Shen said, shaking his head earnestly, ¡°Of course... I¡¯m not foolish. Not asking doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t guess.¡± Chu Ling could link with him spiritually at any moment... This meant she had access to technology a step ahead of the research institute members. This, combined with her disregard towards Deep Sea, was telling. Gu Shen didn¡¯t want to think too deeply, nor did he dare to think too deeply. ¡°Alright.¡± The brilliance in Da Ju¡¯s eyes slowly faded, ¡°The Extraordinary Connection to Deep Sea... is loading. I¡¯ll see you in the ¡®deep water area¡¯.¡± Gu Shen felt an invisible fluctuation. The holographic screen¡¯s glowing light seemed to possess a soul, and with every pulse, his spirit vibrated in unison. It was as if a guiding force seeped out of the intangible light and electricity... This power summoned him, and closing his eyes, he tried to feel the resonance in his spirit. He closed his eyes. But his thoughts opened the eyes of his heart. In this moment, it was as though he was enveloped by countless currents, and his soul began to sink. He started to understand what Senior Sister Luo meant when she talked about the deep water area that ordinary people¡¯s spirits could not withstand. With a ¡°boom,¡± Gu Shen opened his eyes. Before him was an endlessly spreading tangle of twisting lines; he seemed to watch the whole world explode, reconverge, and move in irregular shapes... until it all turned into a ball of light. ¡°Deep Sea is now linked... serial number V340011250001, pleased to serve you.¡± Chapter 62 - 62 60 Chi Huo ?62: Chapter 60 Chi Huo 62: Chapter 60 Chi Huo Before him was a blot of light. Gu Shen felt as if he were a fish suspended in the deep sea. This was an unprecedented sensation... His ideology was stripped away, existing completely independently in another space. It was hard to describe with the word ¡°technology¡±. This seemed more like... a divine miracle. It was a great wonder only a god could accomplish, yet it had been done by a computer. Gu Shen stretched out his hands, sensing himself ¡°living¡± on another level. Was this... the Extraordinary Connection? The ordinary people of the five continents, living in the tangible world of reality, had no idea that the deep sea also provided a deeper layer of Extraordinary Connection... It was more like a dream controlled by subjective consciousness. And the light before him... was that the Deep Sea? Gu Shen reached out to touch the light but grasped at nothing. The moment his fingertips touched it, the light dispersed like fireflies gathered at night, scattering at a touch... Countless glowing streams flowed backward, morphing into blurred human shapes, swiftly switching between tall, short, fat, and thin as the data streamed. Was the Deep Sea choosing an image? Eventually, the radiant light solidified into the outline of a child. The child bowed slowly to Gu Shen, ¡°Serial number Z340011240001, welcome to the ¡®deep water area,¡¯ with the current serial number¡¯s permissions... only a test of the Extraordinary Trial and the first layer of the Deep Sea are provided.¡± After these words, the child¡¯s image instantly blurred, transforming into countless streams of chaos, and finally, in the floating dream, a not-so-wide ¡°door¡± formed. Gu Shen focused his gaze around him. Besides the door... there were no other exits, this place was different from the deep sea he had imagined. It seemed that each person performing the Extraordinary Connection exists as an independent individual? At least, that was what he had figured out so far. So as the only host that connects, it was the ¡°Deep Sea¡±. He once again marveled at the greatness of Allen Turing, the real Transcendent should be the ¡°Deep Sea¡±, handling countless tasks while also connecting with billions of sentient beings... ¡°Once I enter this door, I should be able to sense my own ¡®Extraordinary Power¡¯.¡± Gu Shen held his breath and carefully touched and pushed open the door. A warm current enveloped him. The world melted once again... His sight faded, and the entire world became very dim. Gu Shen sensed himself turning his head... but it was still pitch black; he opened his eyes, closed them, and then blinked again to confirm that he could control his senses under his ideology. This feeling was like arriving at the darkest night, or perhaps true blindness. ¡°Wait a minute... Has the Extraordinary Trial of the first layer of the Deep Sea already started?¡± Gu Shen¡¯s heart suddenly calmed down, recalling Senior Sister Luo¡¯s words. The Deep Sea provided a connection to every Transcendent... As the trial deepened, control over Extraordinary Powers would become increasingly proficient. Then the first layer must be the most basic perception. Chu Ling said that the assessment team¡¯s evaluation of his capabilities was not accurate... Tearing should be replaced with creation, while the aspect of Blazing Light had not much difference... The world before him was so dark because his own Extraordinary Power was still too weak. ¡°Whew...¡± Gu Shen exhaled deeply. He smiled and heard his own laughter. Now he truly felt like he had arrived at the Ghost Cage... he was facing his most genuine Extraordinary Power, which was not as strong as in the malicious world, but fragile like a trembling flame. It shattered at a touch. He stretched out a hand, struggling to touch the pitch-black world before him. His fingertips seemed to tear something... tearing was much harder than tearing apart the Ghost Cage... he was destroying the disorder in this space to establish his own ¡°order¡±. This tearing was, in fact, creation. So, in the darkness, a flame slowly lit up. This flame was too weak, like a flickering strand of hair, straw, hovering over Gu Shen¡¯s fingertips, as if it would extinguish with half of it at a light blow, and the remaining part was frantically swaying. But, just a wisp remained, never to be extinguished. ¡°Am I... that weak...¡± Gu Shen smiled wryly. A boundless sense of satisfaction emerged in his heart. Although his spiritual power was being consumed at an enormous rate, he had truly glimpsed his own ¡°Extraordinary Power¡± for the first time¡ªa wisp of orderly light amidst the darkness, yet so frail that a single breath could extinguish it unintentionally. To have it, was enough. A single spark can start a wildfire. He exerted all his might to sustain the burning of this flame... but as the spiritual power drained, the first level of the Extraordinary Trial space seemed to have spontaneously generated numerous gusts of wind from all directions, each threatening to snuff out the flame. A wisp of light illuminated the pallor of Gu Shen¡¯s cheeks. This blaze was too beautiful. He couldn¡¯t bear to look away, nor did he want to let it die out. ¡°Don¡¯t overdo it, you might hurt yourself,¡± Chu Ling¡¯s voice arose very softly in the first level of the Extraordinary Trial space, ¡°The growth potential of your power is very strong. To be able to summon it on your first trial is already quite remarkable. Maintaining a stable state might still take some time.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right... it really isn¡¯t easy...¡± Gu Shen¡¯s voice was very low, revealing some weakness, but more unmistakably, an uncontrollable joy, ¡°This blaze of light... this is my power?¡± His voice was very soft, yet incredibly firm. ¡°Let me look at it a while longer, okay?¡± Chu Ling was silent for a moment. She did not interrupt the young man¡¯s stubborn persistence but silently accompanied him, gazing at the wisp of flame struggling to burn in the darkness. This wisp of fire was too weak; it couldn¡¯t last two seconds before it would extinguish. Two seconds, three seconds. It did not extinguish. A minute passed... The fire was still burning. In the first level of the Extraordinary Trial space, the wind gradually picked up, no longer tremblingly suspended at Gu Shen¡¯s fingertips, but carefully cradled in his palm, halfway encased to protect it. Gu Shen¡¯s consciousness began to tremble uncontrollably... The essence of the Extraordinary Connection was Deep Sea providing computing power and the host providing spiritual power, but his spiritual power had been nearly exhausted, barely sustained by sheer willpower. The stability of this space was already difficult to maintain, the fierce winds sweeping as if they wanted to scatter one¡¯s bones. Three minutes... five minutes... If no one interrupted, he would continue to endure solely on willpower. ¡°Gu Shen...¡± Chu Ling spoke somewhat tenderly. The moment her voice appeared¡ª The flame extinguished. Wind also stopped. The stability of the space returned to normal. Unbeknownst to Gu Shen, he had already curled into a fetal position, protecting the Chi Huo using all his spiritual power... After a long while, he wore a pale smile and slowly spread open his hand, as if showing off his own child, with a hint of pride. In the center of his palm, there was a fine flame. Softly pulsating. Very stable. ¡°Does this count as... maintaining stability?¡± Chapter 63 - 63 61 Touching You ?63: Chapter 61: Touching You 63: Chapter 61: Touching You Spiritual power was completely exhausted. Surrounded by the deep sea water, Gu Shen floated upwards, feeling as light as cotton at that moment. There was no stinging pain that came with using the ¡°Truth Ruler.¡± It was all because everything here was completed under the protection of the deep sea... No wonder so many Transcendents undergo trials in the deep water area... ¡°Is it over?¡± Gu Shen¡¯s last bit of consciousness murmured, ¡°Have I... passed the first layer of the trial?¡± ... ... ¡°Not even close.¡± He woke up. Gu Shen jolted awake in a cold sweat; he hadn¡¯t returned to his apartment, but was instead sitting on a swiftly moving train. Outside the window, sparks flew in bursts, and the heavy sound of wheels grinding seemed like a dream. He had returned to the very beginning. Opposite him sat the girl he had been thinking about, bathed in Holy Light, stunning beyond words, her white dress fluttering, revealing her blindingly pale calves and ankles. ¡°Where is this...?¡± Gu Shen stared blankly at the girl opposite him, the train speeding through nothingness of electricity and light, fireworks bursting and fading outside the window, the digit sequence 0013 glaringly bright. ¡°This is my home, you could also think of it as... a secret area in the deep water area that no one knows about.¡± Chu Ling explained softly. Then she closed the book in her hand, stood up, and said with a hint of anger, ¡°You were showing off in the Extraordinary Trial just to hold on a bit longer? Do you know, without the rules of the deep sea to protect you, your spiritual power could have been damaged!¡± He was still in the deep water area, within the Extraordinary Connection! Gu Shen was somewhat startled, seeing Chu Ling¡¯s rare angry expression, he quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile and cautiously said, ¡°My mistake, my mistake... isn¡¯t it... because you are here?¡± Had he not heard Chu Ling¡¯s voice, he wouldn¡¯t have taken such a risk. But for some reason... with her present, he felt like a different person, as if any crazy idea that came to him was worth a try. Chu Ling suddenly fell silent. She couldn¡¯t bear to say more, just sighed softly and asked gently, ¡°Didn¡¯t you ever think... what if I messed up?¡± Gu Shen smiled and shook his head, ¡°Then it would be my own fault, and I would never blame you.¡± ¡°All right, this trial is over! I promise you, from now on I¡¯ll know my limits!¡± Gu Shen raised his palm and swore loudly, then asked in a quieter voice, ¡°So... just now... did I manage to maintain a stable state of power?¡± ¡°Yes, but what¡¯s the use?¡± Chu Ling helplessly said, ¡°You must have felt it, your current Extraordinary Power is very weak. The scenes in the deep sea trial are completely different from those in the Ghost Cage.¡± Gu Shen remained silent. Indeed, those were completely different scenes... no wonder he couldn¡¯t use this Extraordinary Power in real life. Because it was simply too weak. ¡°You¡¯re tougher than I thought; the first layer of the Extraordinary Trial is actually about understanding ¡®stability.¡¯ Most people use dozens of connections to explore the characteristics of their abilities. Most Transcendents can complete the first layer of the trial; it¡¯s not difficult.¡± Chu Ling said irritably, ¡°But you are tough, gritting your teeth and managing to maintain stability at once... If I hadn¡¯t lifted the deep sea¡¯s protective measures allowing you to confront the resistance recklessly, you would have been forcibly ejected from the deep water area and disconnected.¡± ¡°Right... I¡¯m still in the connection.¡± Gu Shen scratched his head, ¡°Is this also part of the deep water area?¡± ¡°The deep water area is much larger than you think.¡± Chu Ling slowly said, ¡°A Transcendent¡¯s strength determines their permissions. Of course, these are the rules written... but there are exceptions.¡± For example, herself. ¡°The deep sea monitors everyone within the deep water area... while 0013 is something it cannot see within the rules. So, this place is absolutely safe,¡± Chu Ling chuckled softly, ¡°or rather... for now, 0013 is absolutely safe.¡± Gu Shen fell into thought. He tried hard to digest the massive amount of information in Chu Ling¡¯s few words. Who would call their Spirit Space home... every connection was always so timely... A person who could ignore the rules of the deep sea. A person who wasn¡¯t worried about being tracked down. ¡°So, the first time we met...¡± Gu Shen slowly exhaled, saying, ¡°Was it here? Like this?¡± ¡°Yes... an unexpected Spiritual Link, with no prior signs, just suddenly occurred.¡± Chu Ling lowered her eyes; her crystalline eyelashes and hair shimmered in the Blazing Light, and she said softly with a touch of emotion, ¡°Actually, this train is not supposed to be accessible to anyone else, but you became an exception. I am not clear about the specific reason. Perhaps it¡¯s a coincidence, or maybe... fate¡¯s arrangement.¡± She thought for a moment. She had more to say, but after pondering... she decided to keep it to herself for now. ¡°This place... is too real.¡± Gu Shen reached out, touched the railing, and then the long window in front of him.... Every feedback was so realistic, the cold hard iron, the air vents blowing warm air, the splashing arcs outside the window. ¡°So, my encounter with Zero Zero One... was it real?¡± It was a question he feared to ask but had to. The encounter with Chu Ling felt like a dream. And he was afraid it was just a dream. ¡°...¡± Chu Ling did not answer the question, but sighed instead, ¡°I can¡¯t give you an answer. Because I am also seeking the answers to all this... Do you remember the question I asked you?¡± Gu Shen was taken aback. The first time they met, Chu Ling asked him a very important question. Between the 3rd and the 4th scale of the gauge, does ¦Ð exist? The deep water area created by Deep Sea is a space within the Spiritual Domain... situated between reality and illusion, like the ¡°¦Ð¡± in this question. Does it exist? Nobody knows. ¡°Tonight¡¯s link was actually to let you feel your own ¡®Extraordinary Power.¡¯ Gu Shen... your Extraordinary Power is very special, signifying the establishment of ¡®order,¡¯ although it is currently weak, it has great potential for growth,¡± Chu Ling¡¯s eyes brightened, and she earnestly said, ¡°If you want your ¡®Chi Huo¡¯ to grow stronger, you need to find Extraordinary Essence...¡± At this point, she suddenly frowned. The electrical arcs of Zero Zero One¡¯s entire train became more rapid, and the Blazing Light started flickering. What happened? Gu Shen was startled. ¡°Extraordinary Sealed Objects... Transcendents... they are all free-floating ¡®Extraordinary Essence¡¯...¡± Chu Ling¡¯s image suddenly began to fluctuate in front of Gu Shen; with the jolting of the train, she was no longer a real person but transformed into a mass of shattered, reassembled codes. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Gu Shen stood up anxiously, looking around. The entire Zero Zero One emitted a deep rumble, its speed started to increase, and all sounds began to diminish and disappear, with the arcs outside the window gradually fading, as if entering an endless long night. ¡°Tonight, Deep Sea¡¯s system... will undergo an upgrade...¡± Chu Ling¡¯s voice was intermittent. ¡°They... have always... been looking for me...¡± She looked at Gu Shen, her eyes filled with apologetic smiles, ¡°In this time... take good care of yourself... I¡¯m afraid... I¡¯ll have to disconnect the link for a while...¡± ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you!¡± Gu Shen¡¯s voice interrupted Chu Ling. Chu Ling was taken aback. She saw Gu Shen¡¯s clear, bright eyes and the hand stretched out firmly in mid-air. In a face increasingly obscured and covered by digital code, first, a trace of perplexity appeared, then a bit of helplessness. She smiled lightly; her clean smile erased by countless flickering characters. In the disordered space and time, the two had always missed each other, never truly touched. But this time. The train shook and jolted. Although, only for a moment. But the fingers of the boy and the girl touched each other. Chapter 64 - 64 62 Mission ?64: Chapter 62: Mission 64: Chapter 62: Mission Countless electric flashes, electric arcs, and the tremors and low hums of the train were receding. The darkness before his eyes was gradually replaced by the soft light of the room. Gu Shen disconnected from the Spiritual Link and sat on the floor, staring blankly as he recalled the last contact... Different from what he had imagined, Chu Ling¡¯s fingers were warm and delicate, like a piece of soft white jade. He had thought that everything in the Spirit Space was fictional, cold. Gu Shen just lowered his head, gazing at his own palms, until a cat¡¯s meow interrupted his thoughts. ¡°Meow~¡± He came to his senses and saw a listless Da Ju, lying in front of him like a resentful wife, shaking its tail with a face full of grievances. There was no flicker of intelligence in Da Ju¡¯s eyes, only a soft meow reminding Gu Shen. You forgot to feed me! Gu Shen got up in a daze, unpacked the cat food. That meow made him think that Chu Ling had connected with him again... He lay in bed somewhat worriedly. He was to take over his first assignment from the Judgement Institute tomorrow, yet he found himself tossing and turning, unable to sleep. No matter what, he couldn¡¯t fall asleep. Deep Sea upgrade... Chu Ling would disconnect their link for a while to ensure her safety. Someone had been investigating Chu Ling... Who were these people? Gu Shen took a deep breath. He knew there were many secrets Chu Ling hadn¡¯t told him, but after tonight¡¯s Extraordinary Link, he began to feel that the encounter with the 001 train might not be a coincidence. He didn¡¯t believe in such coincidences in this world. ¡°Increasing strength... that is most important.¡± Soon, Gu Shen regained his composure. He lay in bed, looking at his hands, and murmured softly, ¡°What use is knowing more... without power, nothing can be accomplished...¡± This Deep Sea connection had been quite fruitful. At least he saw what his ¡°Extraordinary Traits¡± really were... This trait, at present, couldn¡¯t yet be considered a power, because in real life, Gu Shen couldn¡¯t even summon a spark as weak as a strand of hair. Chu Ling said that his power belonged to the kind with a very high upper limit and strong growth potential. But to grow stronger, he needed to find Extraordinary Essence. The so-called Extraordinary Essence... should be the ¡°fundamental source¡± that grants people or objects Extraordinary Power. The time for the Spiritual Link was short, and Gu Shen hadn¡¯t managed to ask Chu Ling for more details, but he had a feeling that just by coming into contact with some Transcendents and sealed items, he might find a way to enhance his own abilities. ¡°With Chu Ling disconnecting the link during this period... it¡¯s a good time to explore my own abilities with the tasks from the Judgement Institute.¡± After making plans, Gu Shen felt much more settled. Glancing at the time, it was nearly three in the morning. ¡°Can¡¯t sleep... might as well cultivate Jingzhe.¡± Gu Shen sat up, closed his eyes, and recalled the scenes from the Jingzhe World in his mind. He seemed to sit on an expansive grassland. The clouds pressed down. Chunyu was approaching. His breathing became smooth and prolonged. The review team hadn¡¯t yet drafted a definite report on Gu Shen¡¯s abilities, but they believed he had the potential to be an S-rank Spirit Extraordinary... In fact, their intuition was very accurate. Because Spirit Extraordinaries often take a step ahead in mastering the breathing method. And their energy is relatively more abundant. In the task of monitoring Han Dang, Senior Sister Luo hadn¡¯t closed her eyes for a day and a night, yet she remained full of vigor... Of course, as a top-tier Spirit Extraordinary, this was not difficult for Senior Sister Luo, and most Spirit Extraordinaries could accomplish this. The breathing method was originally the best way to adjust one¡¯s mental state. And perseverance is the only trick on the path of Spirit Extraordinary Cultivation; there are no shortcuts. Each complete cycle of the Operating Breathing Method increases one¡¯s spirit power a bit. From exhaustion to fullness, from a small stream to a great river, it always takes a painful process of tempering. All geniuses inevitably experience this. Of course... even if it is the same breathing method, different people experience different effects when cultivating. After performing the Operating Breathing Method once, some could only painfully increase their spirit power by half a drop, while others comfortably doubled it. No one saw, inside an apartment late at night. The young man, exhaling deeply with his eyes closed, slowly unfolded a slender vertical pupil between his brows, resembling fading embers, threatening to extinguish at any moment, but with each exhale, a faint glow of fire increased slightly. ... ... The next day. Gu Shen¡¯s Jingzhe Cultivation was interrupted by the ring of a phone. He didn¡¯t know that the moment he opened his eyes, the dark Chi Huo between his brows instantly dissipated, as if it had never appeared, replaced by a complete feeling of refreshment. After Jingzhe Breathing became a habit, his mood was surprisingly calm, and staying awake all night was actually more refreshing than sleeping deeply. ¡°Hello?¡± Gu Shen spoke softly. ¡°You sound spirited,¡± Mr. Shu¡¯s laughter came from the other end of the line, and he reported a location, ¡°Cui Zhongcheng¡¯s private jet has arrived; this mission is in Da Du, get ready and set off.¡± Going to Da Du? Perhaps it was due to cultivating Jingzhe, but Gu Shen felt very calm. He looked around the vast apartment... besides Da Ju, he seemed to have nothing else to take. After a simple wash and packing a few clothes, he carried Da Ju out the door. The wind was rather strong today. When Gu Shen arrived at the helipad holding the cat, he saw an extremely fierce-looking heavy helicopter. The blades howled as they sliced the wind, and his teacher, still in last night¡¯s white suit, sat by the window, tapped on the window, and smiled at him. He entered the cabin. Despite preparing mentally, Gu Shen was still startled. He had thought this mission would not be too complicated... He hadn¡¯t expected the Auditor, Judge Tang, to be there, and even Mr. Xiao Cui. Were they involved in this mission? ¡°You¡¯re here?¡± Zhou Jiren waved at Gu Shen with a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous, have a seat.¡± Gu Shen moved next to his teacher and watched as the helicopter doors closed and the blades whirled rapidly. Slowly, they ascended. The buildings beside him disappeared from his sight, and even leaning over the window to look down, they were uncatchable, gradually turning into tiny specks and blends of darkness before all was obscured by thin clouds. It was a strange feeling. Was he finally leaving his homeland where he had lived for eighteen years? Gu Shen was a bit dazed. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, not feeling well?¡± Cui Zhongcheng closed his book, sitting opposite Gu Shen, noticing something off. ¡°First time flying, feeling a bit airsick...¡± Gu Shen rubbed his cheeks and smiled, ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll feel better in a moment.¡± He took a deep breath and switched to Jingzhe Breathing... the discomfort immediately vanished. Indeed. This breathing method was useful in many ways. ¡°Your progress in the breathing method is quite fast,¡± Mr. Shu squinted his eyes and smiled, ¡°You¡¯re nearly replacing your original breathing habit... good!¡± ¡®It will still take some time for a complete replacement.¡± Gu Shen responded modestly; he touched his brow subconsciously. After a night of Jingzhe practice, he had woken up with a warm brow. Now, turning his head, he glanced in the window reflection and didn¡¯t notice anything unusual. Was it just his imagination? ¡°If there¡¯s no problem, shall we start now?¡± Cui Zhongcheng tapped the table gently, ¡°About... this mission.¡± Chapter 65 - 65 63rd Sleep Talker ?65: 63rd Chapter: Sleep Talker 65: 63rd Chapter: Sleep Talker ¡°Thud.¡± Mr. Cui Zhongcheng gently tapped on the table. Gu Shen¡¯s expression was solemn, his attention highly focused. This was his first mission... Due to the A-009 incident, Gu Shen viewed the forthcoming task from the Judgement Institute with great importance. He imagined that carrying out missions was likely a high-stakes operation where one could easily lose one¡¯s life. Leaving Qing River, was he heading to some extremely dangerous place? The Grand Judge and the teachers were present; surely it wouldn¡¯t just be tagging along that simply... He held his breath, ready to wait for the task briefing. ¡°There¡¯s something you need to know¡ªyour file is currently under lock, and the review team¡¯s report is responsible only to one person, namely, Councilor Zhao Xilai,¡± Mr. Cui Zhongcheng said slowly. ¡°You can understand it this way: aside from a very few high-ranking officials from the East Continent and those who have seen your file during the special pardon event, the name Gu Shen is not widely known. And for this mission, your itinerary... I¡¯ve informed only a very select few.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s expression grew even more solemn. This mission was that important? Even his file had been hidden. ¡°The location of the mission is 18 Lipu Street.¡± Mr. Cui Zhongcheng carried a palm-sized paper notebook, a rarity in an age dominated by information technology where everyone was accustomed to using computers. 18 Lipu Street, sounded like a residential area? Was there something like a sealed object or an out-of-control being concealed there? Gu Shen narrowed his eyes. He noticed that Mr. Cui¡¯s notebook was both brand-new and old; the newness was because it was relatively thin and only one-third used, while the old age was evident from the yellowing pages and the worn portion that had been flipped through many times... If Mr. Cui Zhongcheng was accustomed to using paper pages for recording and reminiscing, then given the enormous volume of official business the councilor¡¯s assistant had to deal with daily, such notebooks would likely be replaced weekly? To avoid trouble, he might have bought a box, or perhaps more. Every time he went out, he would carry one or two notebooks. The notebook had photos and some documents attached; the handwriting was as neat as the man himself. Cui flipped to the first page, where there was a photo pasted. ¡°This is...?¡± Seeing the photo, Gu Shen was somewhat flabbergasted. The photo of 19 Lipu Street was set amidst the hustle of shops in the bustling Dadu District, taken during daylight when the people were plentiful and the tide surged high, yet the entrance was narrow, looking like an internet cafe? corridor that had been out of business for a long time, with only a placard hanging above it. It bore three characters: ¡°Sleep Talker.¡± ¡°Psychological clinic, counseling room, either term works,¡± Mr. Cui Zhongcheng turned the notebook towards Gu Shen, and elaborated. ¡°The Sleep Talker Counseling Room at 19 Lipu Street just registered half a year ago, the name might sound odd, but no worries, it has already obtained a qualification certificate issued by the Hypnotist Association, equipped with a complete business license... This will be your workplace for the next three to six months.¡± ¡°My task is... psychological counseling, hypnosis...¡± Gu Shen¡¯s head buzzed, momentarily at a loss for words, ¡°Could it be... working a job?¡± His mind was in disarray. All of this was completely different from what he had imagined, even downright contrary... Having scored an ¡°S-grade¡± in the review team¡¯s nightmare test, he had expected the Judgement Institute to assign him a very severe task. Looking at the ferocious setup of the heavy helicopter, it was easy to feel a cold, icy-lake-like sense, and he might very well be taken to a frozen wilderness where colossal Transcendent beasts dwelled, suppressing a highly dangerous sealed entity in the great snow mountains. A slip could mean the loss of his life. The scenes he envisioned were probably like Nan Jin cutting through a carriage with a swipe of her sword or Senior Sister Luo shattering a training ground mirror with a flick of her finger¡ªthose kinds of miraculous scenarios. In essence, flying and diving around, all sorts of world-saving. But in the end... His task turned out to be that of a working stiff. ¡°You should be aware that our assessment of your abilities is not complete.¡± Judge Tang said indifferently, ¡°Your abilities have yet to be fully demonstrated, and we¡¯ve only grasped a part of your special traits... Although classified as S-rank, your combat capability is not strong, and at present, you are not apt for overly severe missions.¡± ¡°Yes... I agree,¡± Gu Shen sighed, lowering his head with a bitter smile. The Grand Judge had been utterly unreserved in his remarks. Actually... this mission suited him quite well. He muttered quietly, ¡°So, this mission doesn¡¯t look complicated... was such a grand display really necessary?¡± Grand Judge, councilor¡¯s assistant, Grand Judge of the Judgement Institute... one frightening title after another... ¡°The reason for being on the same flight is simple; we just happened to be on the same path.¡± Zhou Jiren patted Gu Shen on the back in a comforting manner, noticing the young fellow feeling quite heartbroken. ¡°In fact, this mission is not as simple as you imagine.¡± Cui Zhongcheng said calmly, ¡°Although the review team rates you highly, both of them believe that you still need time to digest and explore. This mission is theirs to procure for you. It looks simple, right? Psychological consultation, hypnosis, part-time job... you can interpret it however you want, but you better understand it as... A test from the Judgement Institute for you.¡± If it¡¯s an examination, then the nature changes.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s expression turned solemn as he readjusted his spirit, then caught a hint of a smile in the old teacher¡¯s eyes. This is truly an Old Fox, having made arrangements before reaching Da Teng... Had this mission been arranged out of fear that he would encounter danger? Seeing that look, Gu Shen felt that things weren¡¯t so simple. But the timing of this mission was perfect. Chu Ling would be disconnecting for a while, and his only reliance was the Truth Ruler, a sealed item not to be used lightly. The clerical job at the Sleep Talk Consultation Room was perfect for him. From what he understood, it should be a psychological consultation service open to the public? He could use his spiritual power, continuously honed by Awakening, to prove his worth. Then, as expected... he would have plenty of time to connect to the deep water area and explore the Extraordinary Power of Chi Huo on his own. Suddenly, Cui Zhongcheng added, ¡°Furthermore, you should be especially thankful to Tang Qingquan. Without him, this mission wouldn¡¯t exist.¡± Gu Shen was stunned. ¡°Because I sponsored the shop with my funds.¡± The Grand Judge took a sip of coffee, contentedly admiring the clouds outside the window, ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand, this has nothing to do with you. I have a student who has been studying the connection between dreams and the material world... She came to Da Du half a year ago, and it so happened that I had some properties on Lipu Street, which I lent to her for her research.¡± Happened to have... some properties? One could guess that the Grand Judge was wealthy, but not to this extent! Gu Shen scratched his head, ¡°So the consultation room on the surface provides psychological counseling, but actually studies the dreams of its clients?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Cui Zhongcheng adjusted his glasses, ¡°The review team believes that you have an extraordinary talent in the spiritual field, and this could also be beneficial for you... For the specifics, you can ask the person in charge once you¡¯ve landed. Oh, and the identity we¡¯ve assigned to you is a young intern who¡¯s new to Da Du; no one knows your file, so don¡¯t let it slip.¡± ¡°...¡± Gu Shen nodded silently, indicating that he had understood the content of the mission. He didn¡¯t say anything more, only his inner doubts slowly took root. Hiding an S-rank profile, just to let himself be an intern? The teacher¡¯s look and Cui Zhongcheng¡¯s character made Gu Shen vaguely feel... that the situation couldn¡¯t be as simple as it seemed; this seemingly easy mission was definitely hiding a deeper intent. Chapter 66 - 66 64 Intern ?66: Chapter 64: Intern 66: Chapter 64: Intern Lipu Street, No. 18. The crooked signboard was etched with the dimly lit words ¡°Dream Speaker.¡± Entering through a narrow and cramped passageway and going up the stairs, the view suddenly expanded. The office environment here was unexpectedly spacious and very tidy. Right at the entrance, one could see a large floor-to-ceiling window; the curtains were drawn back to both sides, and a rosewood long table was placed in front of the window, with a separate, soundproof room on each side. Noon sunlight sprinkled down. Sitting at the table, Zhou Yexin furrowed her brows as she scrutinized the youth holding a cat in front of her. She had known that her teacher would send a young intern as her assistant, but she hadn¡¯t expected that this assistant would be... so young. ¡°Name...?¡± The familiar question followed a familiar recipe. Gu Shen quickly pulled out a chair to sit down, swiftly introducing himself, ¡°Gu Shen, seventeen, gender male.¡± ¡°Gender male... I certainly know that,¡± Zhou Yexin hesitated, her expression weirdly saying, ¡°You are the intern recommended by the teacher. You look too young. Can you handle this job?¡± Gu Shen sat upright, gradually recalling the file of the Dream Speaker¡¯s leader in his mind. Zhou Yexin, twenty-nine years old. An ordinary person with no Extraordinary Ability. Admirably, she had traveled alone to the Central Continent at eighteen and studied psychology for seven years. After returning to East Continent, she began to obsess over dream research, moving around various places, eventually coming to Da Du, where she opened this consulting room with Tang Qingquan¡¯s funding. Even more admirable was that to this day, Ms. Zhou was completely unaware of the existence of Transcendents but still followed her instincts... exploring the secrets of the Extraordinary Domain. She looked very young and approachable, nothing like someone nearly thirty. When she smiled, she resembled a squirrel, showing off her white teeth and shallow dimples at the sides. This image was very suitable for the profession, at least giving people a sense of ease. ¡°Ms. Zhou... actually, I¡¯m still not very clear about what I am supposed to do,¡± Gu Shen scratched his head and sincerely smiled, ¡°But I learn very quickly, so you can rest assured.¡± ¡°You make me sound too old by calling me Ms. Zhou, just call me Sister Xiao Xin. I heard from the teacher about you. He said you are very smart, highly talented, and self-taught.¡± After observing Gu Shen for a bit longer, Zhou Yexin found the youth¡¯s appearance fresh and pleasing, and the more she looked, the more comforting he seemed. She poured a cup of tea for Gu Shen, slowly saying, ¡°I¡¯m just a bit worried... At your age, having not faced hardships, it¡¯s easy to think things are too idealistic, and when you actually start working, you¡¯ll find it quite different from what you imagined.¡± ¡°Our work is not easy; regular hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM, and if there are special appointments, we will need to work overtime.¡± Gu Shen held the tea and listened quietly to Sister Xiao Xin¡¯s words. ¡°Besides that, you will also need to regularly manage and organize experiment reports. However, you don¡¯t need to worry about this part; you just need to be responsible for organizing and entering reports into the database. You won¡¯t need to handle the experiments personally.¡± Initially, Gu Shen almost couldn¡¯t help but chuckle out loud. Nine to five? ¡°No problem at all...¡± After listening, he hurriedly took a sip of tea to calm his nerves and then earnestly said, ¡°I can handle this hardship.¡± More than handle it? He was absolutely determined. ... ... Over the following week, Gu Shen had a fulfilling time. He rented a single-room apartment near Lipu Street, living alone, which was much better than his previous suburban environment, though still far from comparing to the downtown apartment ¡°gifted¡± by Nan Jin. In reality, Gu Shen was no longer short of money. From the moment he boarded the plane and his official mission was confirmed, the Judgement Institute started paying him a living allowance of 100,000 per month after taxes. Cui Zhongcheng had explained the rank structure within the Judgement Institute on the plane. Once a newcomer passed the review, they became an Intern Judgement Envoy, and upon accumulating a certain number of adequately completed tasks, they would be promoted. The next stage was Judgement Envoy. Following that, they progressed to Intern Judge and then Judge. At last, there is only one Grand Judge for now. The territorial range of an Intern Judge generally consists of one or a few streets. Gu Shen conscientiously included ¡°Lipu Street¡± and several nearby streets into his surveillance area. Cui Zhongcheng said his internship was an evaluation. The most troublesome part was this silent evaluation. Gu Shen felt like he was a player at a card table, but his opponent had not yet played a card. The best method, and the only method, was to wait quietly. So, Gu Shen calmly followed his own spiritual power cultivation plan, completed his daily cultivation, and everything went smoothly. He would arrive at the consultation office at eight thirty sharp every morning, sort out and summarize experimental data half an hour early, leave work on time, and spend the remaining time on Extraordinary Trials in the deep water area and refining the Jingzhe Breathing Technique. He knew there were no shortcuts on this path. He had to persevere. Besides these trivial matters, Gu Shen noticed something noteworthy... This small psychological clinic on Lipu Street was quite famous, perhaps related to Sister Xiao Xin¡¯s management over the past half-year, attracting many clients with reservations every week. These clients varied, but were all normal people: heartbroken young adults, bankrupted decadent businessmen, and stressed-out office workers... Before entering the clinic, they often looked sullen, but after leaving, they visibly appeared much better, with a significantly improved complexion. Was it hypnosis? However... Zhou Yexin didn¡¯t possess Extraordinary Abilities. How did she do it? It was Gu Shen¡¯s ninth day on Lipu Street. While organizing files, he glanced at the clock, eight twenty, hmm, there was a special appointment today... it should be forty minutes until the end of his shift. In these nine days, Sister Xiao Xin had not let him observe even once. What exactly happened in that compartment was quite mysterious. ¡°Xiao Gu, help bring a cup of hot water in.¡± A voice came from inside. Gu Shen knew that the ¡°psychological consultation¡± had ended. He carried the hot water, knocked on the door, and upon receiving affirmative response, slowly pushed open the compartment door. The client this time was a girl who looked about his age, beaten down upon arrival with obvious tear stains. Although now her expression was much relaxed, her eyes were still blurry, as if she had just woken up. Zhou Yexin was tidying up her clothes. Gu Shen caught this detail... He saw Sister Xiao Xin putting away a pocket watch into her pocket and felt an unnerving aura in the room. Extraordinary Aura! ¡°It¡¯s an Extraordinary Sealed Object... but the aura is very weak...¡± Compared to the Sealed Objects brought by the five members of the review team, it was much less, worlds apart. Sister Xiao Xin¡¯s secret seemed to be this pocket watch... If it was an object possessing Extraordinary Power, that would explain his suspicion. Gu Shen¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. He pretended not to see, carrying two cups of hot water into the room, one for each of them. ¡°Thank you...¡± The girl¡¯s expression was tender, but her voice was hoarse. She took a small sip of hot water, then softly said, ¡°Thank you Doctor Zhou, and thank you Dr. Xiao Gu.¡± The clinic¡¯s clients were accustomed to addressing Sister Xiao Xin as Doctor... This title was not incorrect; after all, Zhou Yexin was a strong practitioner who had studied abroad in Central Continent. And he, as an intern, got a bit of reflected glory, incidentally also being called a doctor. At first, Gu Shen was somewhat unaccustomed to it, but now he had gotten used to it. During this time, as he honed his spiritual power, he vaguely felt his Fiery Fire Power becoming more stable. It shouldn¡¯t be long before he could use ¡°Mental Hypnosis.¡± This actually was the real reason Gu Shen could accept being called Dr. Xiao Gu with a clear conscience. Who says an intern psychologist can¡¯t be considered a doctor? Chapter 67 - 67 65 Visitors ?67: Chapter 65: Visitors 67: Chapter 65: Visitors ¡°Sixteen is the most beautiful age; you still have a bright future ahead of you.¡± Sister Xiao Xin gently comforted, ¡°When you go back, rest well... Don¡¯t think too much; giving up your life for him is not worth it.¡± Gu Shen remembered this girl; her name was Qu Shui, a name as pleasant as she was, a quiet and delicate young girl. However, her wrists were covered with scars of varying depths and ferocity. ¡°Hmm...¡± Qu Shui shrank back, covering her forearm with her sleeve, and murmured softly, ¡°Doctor Zhou... if things don¡¯t improve... can I come back again?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Zhou Yexin smiled. Receiving this response, Qu Shui smiled softly. Gu Shen noticed that the girl was still curled up, her expression pale, her hands holding a cup of hot water, and she did not get up. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, are you uncomfortable?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that... it¡¯s just getting late...¡± Qu Shui¡¯s voice trailed off, becoming fainter, and she dared not look up, ¡°Walking alone at night... it¡¯s a bit scary...¡± ¡°Do you need me to escort you?¡± Gu Shen offered. Qu Shui did not respond, her head hanging even lower. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± Zhou Yexin put on her coat and instructed, ¡°Xiao Gu, there shouldn¡¯t be any more visitors today... That¡¯s it for today. You can clean up and close the door later.¡± Gu Shen nodded, smiled, and said, ¡°Okay. Sister Xiao Xin, be careful on the road.¡± After watching the two of them leave. Gu Shen squinted his eyes. He leaned against the wall, reached out to touch his forehead, and as he pushed the door... it seemed like a thread of intense heat ignited at his brow. Every time he performed Jingzhe Breathing, it was like this, so Gu Shen had gotten used to it. But this heat was different from before. ¡°Is it because it sensed an Extraordinary Aura...¡± This time, the heat at his brow seemed to carry a warning. Following the instinctive intuition in his heart, Gu Shen walked around the room checking for anything unusual, but found nothing. Finally, he stood in front of the mirror, and the face reflected back startled him. When alone, a fine thread of flame appeared at his brow. It was slowly burning, flickering, as if it had a life of its own! Identical to the ¡°Chi Huo¡± that he had summoned during the Extraordinary Trial in the deep water area... Gu Shen carefully touched the flame at his brow, feeling the warmth on his fingertips and in his heart, his lips involuntarily curling into a smile. Too bad Chu Ling didn¡¯t witness this scene. Could this be... that he had successfully condensed the Extraordinary Power? ¡°Phew... This thread of Chi Huo seems to have its own consciousness. Did it just try to come out?¡± Gu Shen thought curiously, not feeling any different after successfully summoning the Chi Huo. It didn¡¯t seem like a type of Extraordinary Power that provided support. Moreover, he hadn¡¯t reached the level of opening a domain... This thread of light was merely present at his forehead, more like a thin layer of small armor, and very small at that. ¡°Extinguish.¡± With a thought, he uttered softly. The Chi Huo immediately dissipated. ¡°Appear.¡± With another thought, the Chi Huo reappeared, condensing into a gentle, clear flame. After repeating this several times, Gu Shen had mastered the trick and could use the Chi Huo at will. ¡°From what I see... this thread of Chi Huo is still very weak. It seems I can only use the most basic abilities of the Spiritual type.¡± ¡°Like... hypnosis.¡± Gu Shen muttered, ¡°And it¡¯s just the most basic type; it¡¯s hard to hypnotize Transcendents, but hypnotizing ordinary people... should be no problem.¡± According to his feelings, the intensity of the Extraordinary Power emitted by the current wisp of Chi Huo was almost equivalent to that of Sister Xiao Xin¡¯s pocket watch. ¡°Very good... This indicates that I¡¯m heading in the right direction, the arduous cultivation these days has finally borne fruit.¡± As Gu Shen looked at his own handsome face flickering in the firelight reflected in the mirror, he couldn¡¯t help but smile, ¡°Moreover, I¡¯ve mastered the Chi Huo faster than I had anticipated.¡± Originally, the plan was to evoke Chi Huo within a month, which would count as a success. Now it¡¯s only the ninth day. Gu Shen extinguished the flame between his eyebrows, feeling much happier, he tidied up the clinic, preparing to leave. Just at that moment. ¡°Knock, knock, knock¡ª¡± A very gentle knocking sound came from outside the door. The clock¡¯s hands pointed to eight forty-five. Usually at this time... there were no visitors anymore, unless it was a special appointment. Gu Shen looked through the peephole and saw a woman dressed in luxurious clothes. She was dressed very elegantly, in Da Du after the onset of autumn the temperature dropped significantly, yet she wore a very thin sea-blue cheongsam as inner wear. To fend off the cold, she draped a mink coat over her shoulders and cradled an exquisite handbag in the crook of her arm. She was clearly an upper-class lady. Before the second knock could occur, Gu Shen opened the door. ¡°Who are you?¡± The lady furrowed her brows slightly, speaking softly, ¡°I heard that the doctor here for sleep-talking is very skilled... but it was supposed to be a lady...¡± ¡°I am the new...¡± Gu Shen thought for a moment, then smiled, ¡°assistant. My surname is Gu, you can call me Dr. Xiao Gu.¡± Assistant? A bit too young, still a teenager. ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu...¡± The lady sized up Gu Shen, and after seeing his clear eyes, for some reason, she felt a trace of trust emerging in her heart and quietly asked, ¡°Is an assistant doctor... a real doctor as well?¡± Gu Shen nodded earnestly, ¡°An assistant doctor... is of course a doctor.¡± After he opened the door, he observed the lady once more. It was evident that she was economically well-off, dressed in a relaxed manner, her makeup was intricate, yet despite the makeup, one could still see the exhaustion on her face, her eye sockets faintly dark. ¡°It¡¯s like this... I guess your clinic is responsible for psychological consultations for the youth...¡± The lady sighed wearily, speaking very slowly, as if in fragmented musings, ¡°But I really can¡¯t... I¡¯ve sought help from many people these past days... they were all helpless...¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry... I¡¯m sorry... you might not have understood...¡± She pressed her forehead, her voice somewhat breaking. ¡°I don¡¯t even know... why I¡¯m telling you all this...¡± These words were disjointed. Incomprehensible to others. But Gu Shen remained calm, listened quietly until she had nothing more to say, then he slowly stated, ¡°It¡¯s a sleep problem, right.¡± At these words. The lady¡¯s weary eyes suddenly flashed with astonishment. ¡°You haven¡¯t rested well for days, have you? Three days, or perhaps four.¡± Gu Shen glanced at her, then averted his gaze. He stepped aside, leaving the path clear and calmly said, ¡°Doctor Zhou has already gone off duty. Now only I am left. If you think you can still last through the night, the clinic opens at nine in the morning. But if you feel you can¡¯t hold out anymore, and don¡¯t mind that I am just an assistant doctor... perhaps you¡¯ll have a good night¡¯s sleep tonight.¡± After saying this, he waited for her response. When Gu Shen pinpointedly spoke out about the sleep issue, the lady¡¯s emotions stirred dramatically. ¡°Thank you... thank you...¡± At that moment, her voice trembled, like a drowning person clutching at the last straw. Actually, there are many precious things in this world that go uncherished. Only those who have lost, understand how luxurious it is to have something. For instance, sleep. Chapter 68 - 68 66 Immersion ?68: Chapter 66: Immersion 68: Chapter 66: Immersion According to Deep Sea¡¯s data survey, the most beneficial sleep duration for human health is about eight hours per day. If one does not rest or sleep for a long time... They will quickly become unable to concentrate, their thoughts will be jumbled, followed by heart failure, and eventually sudden death, with the physical limit for most people being approximately three days. Of course, these data only apply to ordinary people; all scientific data cannot be applied to Transcendents. Clearly. This lady had reached her own limit of collapse. After three days and nights without sleep, she could no longer even articulate a complete sentence... It was only with Gu Shen¡¯s support that she reached the chair and closed her eyes. But that was just closing her eyes. Closing her eyes did not mean she fell asleep. ¡°I... can¡¯t sleep...¡± After the lady closed her eyes, her voice trembled and she struggled to say, ¡°It started three days ago... No matter what... I can¡¯t sleep...¡± Who would have thought that the greatest nightmare is being unable to dream? ¡°Mm... don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°Close your eyes, clear your mind.¡± The voice of Gu Shen was gentle, he squatted beside the chair, tenderly calming her emotions, and gradually a small but fiery flame burst through the center of his forehead. This appearance of Fiery Fire Power was starkly different from before. This strand of flame silently began to tremble violently. ¡°There¡¯s a trace of Extraordinary Aura...¡± Gu Shen narrowed his eyes, his expression growing solemn. He tried to project his spiritual power through the Fiery Fire Power. ¡°Ssssss~~~¡± The Fiery Fire Power emitted a faint sound. Gu Shen felt that his current state was somewhat strange... It was as if he had opened a third eye. He saw a bigger and more vast world. Or rather... this was the real world! When spiritual power was projected through the Fiery Fire Power, all things and people that came into view were dissected and separated¡ª Is this the unique ¡°eye power¡± of the Spiritual Extraordinary? Yet, this method was consuming his spiritual power, Gu Shen speculated that as the Fiery Fire Power grew stronger, the world he could see would become larger, and the spiritual power consumed would also increase. Currently, this consumption was nothing. Thanks to the continuous cultivation of the Jingzhe Breathing Technique these past few days, Gu Shen¡¯s spiritual power was well-refined and plentiful. He carefully inspected the lady from head to toe. She was an ordinary person, and unlike Sister Xiao Xin, she didn¡¯t carry any sealing item... The current insomnia was probably not caused by incorrectly wearing a sealed item. ¡°Affected by Extraordinary Power... leading to loss of sleep... If a cause cannot be found on a physical level... perhaps an answer can be found in the ¡®dream¡¯,¡± Gu Shen pondered for a moment and silently concluded, ¡°I need to hypnotize her, force her into a dream, and look for the truth there.¡± In fact, from the first glance at her. Gu Shen had already considered things more important than hypnosis; this type of insomnia patient wasn¡¯t hard to treat, he had already awakened Extraordinary, and with Fiery Fire Power backing him, it would only take a second to let her sleep peacefully. But the really important thing... was to find the source. This could be confirmed as an Extraordinary event. Perhaps this was also part of Cui Zhongcheng¡¯s assessment of him? During this minute of contemplation, the compartment was silent. Respecting his instructions, the lady kept her eyes closed, but after waiting for a minute, she finally couldn¡¯t help but say weakly and trembling, ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu... I still can¡¯t sleep...¡± ¡°You may open your eyes now.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s thoughts returned to the present. Hearing this voice, desperation surfaced on the lady¡¯s brow. She had thought she had met the right person... but now it seemed that Dr. Xiao Gu probably also had no solution... She slowly opened her eyes, the incandescent light on the ceiling was dazzling, and after dozens of hours without sleep, the whole world seemed to be spinning. And it was at that moment. The lady felt she was having a severe hallucination. She seemed to see a strand of Fiery Fire Power appearing on the brow of Dr. Xiao Gu. Brighter than the bright lights. But not dazzling; instead, it was very gentle. ¡°Buzz.¡± All the noisy sounds of this world disappeared, leaving only Gu Shen¡¯s gentle and deep voice. ¡°Sleep peacefully... you will have a good dream.¡± The woman on the recliner closed her eyes again. Her depleted spirit finally found rest, and she slept deeply, accompanied by soft murmurs in her dreams. The young man sitting quietly by the side, stood motionless beside the chair, like a statue. ... ... In the boundless darkness, Gu Shen opened his eyes. He stood amidst ultimate darkness, with cold, howling wind blades coming from all directions, seemingly about to shred him completely. ¡°Successfully entered the dream.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s expression remained calm; it was his first time using hypnosis and the first time he used Fiery Fire Power to enter someone else¡¯s dream. It was different from that time with Han Dang. The Fiery Fire Power had just begun to take shape; he had not yet unearthed abilities like domains... in other words, Gu Shen had not yet completed the construction of his dream territory. That time at the orphanage, he was forcibly pulled into Han Dang¡¯s Truth Domain. This time, however, it was more of a voluntary ¡°immersion.¡± ¡°A common person¡¯s dream, so cold and dark... This must be a terribly bad nightmare.¡± The dreadful state of this dream indicated that her spirit was on the verge of collapse. If she hadn¡¯t met him, or someone with special hypnosis abilities. This noblewoman, I¡¯m afraid... had slim chances of good fortune. Gu Shen stretched out his fingers, slowly clenching his hand, and a string of flames tore through the darkness, roared as they danced, and finally transformed into a floating lantern, illuminating the dark dreamscape. Frost and wind blades were driven away from the circle of light and fire beneath Gu Shen¡¯s feet. ¡°In the dream... the power of Fiery Fire is stronger than I had imagined.¡± Gu Shen clenched his fist, feeling the fluctuating spiritual power, ¡°Indeed... my Extraordinary Traits tend to lean more toward the Spiritual type.¡± He breathed out slowly. The Fiery Fire swirled and spread, and the ring of light gradually enlarged. Gu Shen spoke softly; he wanted to spread his light as much as possible... to see this dreamscape more clearly. ¡°Spread.¡± At his command, as if decreed by a deity. The intense fire light surged like a tide, turning into a sea, and completely tore apart the pitch-black night, burning it to ashes. At this moment, the woman lying in the recliner had a flush of rosy redness appearing on her face, and her cold body gradually began to warm. In the midst of the towering inferno, the nightmare was torn open to reveal the truth. Gu Shen looked up, his expression darkening. Amidst the numerous flames, at the top of this nightmarish world, clouds were dense, tinted blood-red by the fire tide... vaguely showing a nose, eyes, and sharp teeth. It was a human face. Or rather, the face of an evil ghost. The clouds above the nightmare world hung extremely low, blood-colored and fierce, with the evil ghost¡¯s face opening its lips as if it wanted to swallow the heavens and the earth alike. If he wasn¡¯t mistaken... with the arrival of this evil ghost¡¯s face, the dreamscape would eventually be completely overturned and devoured, at which point the host¡¯s spirit would also collapse. If this was some remnant spiritual imprint left by a sealed item... Then the nature of this sealed item was too malevolent; how could an ordinary person withstand it? He took a deep breath. Gu Shen recalled the scene of slaying ghosts in the Ghost Cage that day. At that time, it was thousands of evil ghosts, and he had slain them all. Having seen the true Hell, he would not fear evil ghosts. He stretched out two fingers, aimed at the giant ghostly face in the sky. In his mind, he silently recited a word. ¡°Slay¡ª¡± His two fingers slowly traced a line. The dreamscape violently trembled, the night fragile as paper and instantly torn apart into pieces. In the final moment, the face of the evil ghost seemed to reveal shock, astonishment, and a mix of complex emotions, but it was just a moment before, along with the dark clouds, it was split in half. Chapter 69 - 69 67 Profile ?69: Chapter 67: Profile 69: Chapter 67: Profile Jiang Wan opened her eyes. She felt as if she had lost all consciousness in an instant, and upon waking up, a sense of relaxation she had never felt before emerged...as if it coursed through her body with her blood, as if she had been reborn. She was stunned for several minutes before memories from before gradually began to resurface in her mind, seeming as if from another lifetime. Suffering from insomnia for too long, she had come here clutching her last hope. And then... she had fallen asleep, just as she had wished. ¡°Tss...¡± She subconsciously rubbed her temples, sat up, but didn¡¯t feel the expected sourness, her whole body felt warm, and all the fatigue and weariness had been swept away. Jiang Wan muttered in disbelief, ¡°How long have I...slept?¡± ¡°One hour,¡± a gentle, young voice responded, ¡°Here, water.¡± Gu Shen smiled, ¡°Your insomnia has been cured. I hope you have sweet dreams every day from now on.¡± Jiang Wan, with a grateful look, took the water. Due to sleeplessness, she had been tormented for days and was very tired. Although her spirit was now better, her physical condition was still a bit poor, with dry lips and a pallid face. But these were minor issues; a few days of recuperation would suffice. ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu...you really are...incredible.¡± Initially, seeing such a young assistant doctor, she had been somewhat worried; after all, she had previously been to several experts across half of Da Du without finding a solution... Now, her look at Gu Shen was completely different, not just one of gratitude but also of admiration! So young, yet so skilled. ¡°Oh... I still haven¡¯t paid...¡± Jiang Wan rummaged through her bag, she took out a business card, and a small stack of money, a bit embarrassed, ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu, I don¡¯t know how much you charge here... Because I haven¡¯t rested well for so long, I wasn¡¯t well-prepared. I only have about three to four thousand cash on me, if that¡¯s not enough, can I transfer the rest to you online?¡± True to being a wealthy woman, she indeed spent generously... Gu Shen silently remarked in his mind, the economic ability of the people in Dadu District was really good. As far as he knew, Sister Xiao Xin¡¯s pricing in the clinic was about eight hundred an hour, which he already found expensive. It wouldn¡¯t be such good business in Qing River. ¡°That¡¯s more than enough... this will do,¡± he said. Gu Shen smiled and took only half of the stack of cash. Now a genuine Transcendent, this intervention had not only completed hypnosis but also incidentally cleared the remnant spiritual poison from the seal... so he might as well just symbolically charge a fee. In fact, since becoming a Transcendent, Gu Shen¡¯s desire for money had diminished significantly. The dearest to him, his grandmother, along with the orphanage, had been secured by both Cui Zhongcheng and Zhao Group. What Gu Shen now valued more...was the truth behind this case of insomnia. He looked at the business card. ¡°...Jiang Wan.¡± Gu Shen noted this name in his mind, then suddenly said, ¡°Miss Jiang, may I ask where you live?¡± ¡°I live in the southern part, in South Bay.¡± Jiang Wan paused, then said, ¡°Is there a problem?¡± South Bay was a well-known affluent area in Da Du, also housing villas, but it was remote with few residents and relatively quiet. Lipu, on the other hand, lied in the belly of Da Du, closer to the bustling area. ¡°Just asking,¡± he said. Gu Shen smiled. He asked this question...actually to pinpoint the source of this Transcendent event. He remembered the words of Mr. Xiao Cui on the plane. If nothing unexpected, every action of his in the dreamscape was under the surveillance of Mr. Xiao Cui. If this Transcendent event¡¯s source was nearby Lipu Street, then he had to be extremely careful and treat it seriously. Gu Shen asked again, ¡°Do you remember where you went on the first day of your insomnia?¡± ¡°Somewhat... I can¡¯t recall clearly.¡± ¡°My daily life is quite irregular, and the symptoms of insomnia have occurred before, but they have never been this severe.¡± Jiang Wan, holding her forehead, thought for a long time, then suddenly exclaimed in surprise, ¡°However, the day before yesterday, I seem to have attended a close friend¡¯s party...¡± At this, her cheeks turned slightly red, ¡°It¡¯s quite a coincidence, actually; afterwards, we went to Qingtao Bar near the river bank, not far from Lipu Street. I drank quite a bit, hoping to sleep well with the help of alcohol... but after the party ended... I just couldn¡¯t fall asleep...¡± Qingtao Bar... Gu Shen silently took note. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s just because you¡¯ve been under a lot of stress lately.¡± He smiled with ease, ¡°Staying up often isn¡¯t good for your health; it¡¯s getting late, Miss Jiang, you should go back and rest.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been... under too much stress lately?¡± Jiang Wan¡¯s face flushed red, and she hurriedly grabbed her bag and stood up, saying, ¡°I won¡¯t disturb you any longer... Thank you, Dr. Xiao Gu!¡± ... ... Upon returning home, she fed the cat, and it was around eleven or twelve at night. After briefly organizing his thoughts, Gu Shen decided to head for Qingtao Bar. Da Du, entirely different from Qing River, is the most bustling city in East State Jiangnan. Throw a dart at a map of Da Du, and wherever it lands, the land is worth a fortune, except for the suburbs. Any chosen spot is busier than the core area of Qing River. As night falls, countless bars along the river bank open their doors, with neon flashing and lights dazzling. The fluctuating tides reflect the illusionary flickers of the sleepless city above and below. ¡°Handsome guy, come and play~¡± ¡°Wanna follow each other?¡± Gu Shen¡¯s features are clear and youthful yet not delicate; this kind of appearance is easily likable. Coupled with his clean youthful aura, no manner of dressing can make him disliked. Sticking to the principle of keeping a low profile, he wore a cap and dressed in black work clothes, keeping his head down as he walked, but still, several svelte long-legged girls approached him along the way. He rejected them neatly. Setting aside Chu Ling for a moment... Now Gu Shen¡¯s mind was entirely focused on the investigation. The only clue was at Qingtao Bar. Three days had already passed since the incident, and finding the source was not going to be easy. ¡°We¡¯ve arrived.¡± Gu Shen looked up at the neon sign of Qingtao Bar. He had chosen to go out at this time fearing that arriving too early would make him very conspicuous when the bar wasn¡¯t busy... Gu Shen silently lowered his cap, watching the crowded dance floor of the bar, thinking he was still too young for this. With so many people, he needed to find the clue. There was a method that might work, but his current spiritual power might not be sufficient. He could only... give it a try. He let out a long breath, closed his eyes, and a faint Chi Huo emerged at the center of his forehead. In a crowded corner, a very soft whisper burst through the noise. ¡°...Profile!¡± As he cried out, the strand of Chi Huo suddenly surged, moving towards the forehead as if to merge into his skin and become an erect pupil. All the noise by Gu Shen¡¯s ears disappeared; the entire bar went silent. At this moment, his spiritual power began to deplete rapidly, probably tens of times more than what was needed to hypnotize Jiang Wan. He raised his head, and the swaying men and women tangled carelessly in the dance floor, resembling a wild dance of demons. The dazzling atmosphere lights rendered everything around into a vision of Hell... yet it was eerily silent. Once the profiling ability was activated, the whole world turned into a depopulated zone deep beneath the sea. Gu Shen forcefully traced back the faint spiritual mark from three days ago. Through the gaze adorned with Chi Huo, he saw a faint shadow, like a beast scenting blood... The shadow, elusive yet discernible, pointed towards the position of the bar. Chapter 70 - 70 68 Solemn Stone Carving ?70: Chapter 68: Solemn Stone Carving 70: Chapter 68: Solemn Stone Carving Gu Shen lowered his hat, slowly squeezed through the crowd, and came to the bar. The bartender approached. Gu Shen saw the bartender smile at him, hand him a drink menu, and begin to speak. From the movement of his lips, it was clear he said¡ª ¡°What would you like to have?¡± Until this moment, Gu Shen¡¯s profiled world had been completely silent. It was his first time using such an ability. Logically, profiling and hypnosis were both basic abilities of the Spiritual Extraordinary, but profiling drained more energy, perhaps because it inherently possessed the characteristic of ¡°tracing,¡± allowing Transcendents to contend with time to some extent. However, rather than saying profiling broke the shackles of time, it was more a pursuit of the subtle guidance of fate. The longer the time traced, the more intense the spiritual power drained. The stronger the profiled character, the more obscure the guidance. Attempting to peek into scenes one should not... would result in a severe backlash. The shadow in the profiling world thus dissipated, had Jiang Wan been sitting in this spot three days ago, touching the sealed object? As he continued to profile, the Chi Huo fiercely flickered. The consumption of spiritual power suddenly increased. No... the shadow had not dissipated... Gu Shen¡¯s vision caught a faint black shadow dragging along... Someone had brought the sealed object and had briefly stayed in this bar. Was it at this time that Jiang Wan got infected by the Extraordinary Aura of the sealed object? The clue ends here. ¡°I¡¯ll have one... this one.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s thoughts returned to the present, he noticed the bartender¡¯s impatient look, casually pointed at a name on the drink menu, and just then, a voice emerged in the silent profiling world. ¡°The gin is quite strong... not suitable for you.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s pupils contracted. Almost instantly, he entered a state of alert, his fingers slid into his sleeves, clenching the Truth Ruler. Gu Shen cautiously looked to his side¡ª Just at a distance of two body lengths away. A burly man in a gray hoodie, leaning against the bar, facing the dance floor, his gaze lingered amidst the neon chaos of the dance floor with evident interest, stirring the ice cubes in his glass without giving Gu Shen more than a glance, he lazily said, ¡°I suggest you pick that Metropolitan... although it¡¯s a ladies¡¯ drink, both its strength and flavor are pretty good, suitable for a newcomer like you.¡± Gu Shen did not relax his guard. He asked in a low voice, ¡°Who are you?¡± Being able to break into his profiling world... This was also a Transcendent. ¡°Relax, don¡¯t look at me,¡± the man in the hoodie continued in his laid-back tone, casually speaking, ¡°The noise from triggering profiling isn¡¯t small. If you don¡¯t want to be noticed, you should be cautious. Moreover, if I wanted to attack you... I would have done so already, wouldn¡¯t I?¡± The Chi Huo dispersed. Gu Shen was still on alert, but he deactivated ¡°profiling¡±... it was a capability without any combat enhancement, and it was substantially draining his spiritual power. ¡°Nice to meet you for the first time, I¡¯m Hu Danian, an informant for Cui Zhongcheng.¡± In the noisy world, the uncle¡¯s voice was soft, yet it was incomparably clear to the ear. Cui Zhongcheng! Gu Shen¡¯s mood somewhat eased, though he still clenched the ruler without relaxing, but he told the bartender, ¡°Change the drink... I want this one.¡± He pointed at the ¡°Da Du Metropolitan¡± the man had recommended. Seeing Gu Shen¡¯s reaction, the hooded uncle smiled, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter to me whether you believe me or not... Since you¡¯ve found your way here, you must have noticed that the clues have ended. I have some information here about the ¡®sealed artifact¡¯ you¡¯re looking for.¡± At the mention of the sealed artifact, Gu Shen¡¯s wariness in his eyes diminished substantially. ¡°Solemn Gaze Sculpture, serial number undetermined, preliminarily identified as a Class D risk sealed artifact.¡± Hu Danian pulled out a photograph from his chest, moved his seat closer to Gu Shen in a subtle manner, and placed the photograph on the polished surface of the bar. Gu Shen took it, and the photograph showed a stone sculpture depicting a ferocious evil ghost. However, compared to an adult man¡¯s fist, this sculpture was not very large, only about half the size of a fist. It was exactly the same as what he had seen in Jiang Wan¡¯s Dream. ¡°This sealed artifact was once kept by the council in Dadu District, but it was lost in a theft a few years ago and has been missing ever since,¡± Hu Danian said leisurely. ¡°The records state that once the Solemn Gaze Sculpture comes into contact with a person, it will relentlessly steal their sleep until the contactee¡¯s spirit collapses.¡± ¡°That¡¯s just the appearance...¡± Gu Shen muttered softly, ¡°The actual reason it takes away sleep is that it causes a kind of spiritual erosion in the contactee.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Hu Danian looked at Gu Shen with surprise and smiled, ¡°You are quite intelligent... No wonder you caught Mr. Cui¡¯s attention at such a young age.¡± Gu Shen said nothing. His own profile was currently confidential. This informant probably didn¡¯t know who he was... He took the photograph and asked, ¡°The Solemn Gaze Sculpture erodes the dreams of all its contactees until their spirit collapses... This is a Transcendent event, how many people have been infected?¡± His own profile had shown him a corner of the truth. Someone had stayed here with this sealed artifact... Jiang Wan had unfortunately come into contact with it, and thus had her sleep stolen. ¡°So far, twenty-four people have been indirectly in contact with the Solemn Gaze Sculpture, and that number is still rising, all under the surveillance of Deep Sea,¡± Hu Danian said calmly. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about these people... Someone will be responsible for treating them. Even if you can¡¯t cure Jiang Wan, we will intervene.¡± Gu Shen furrowed his brow. This event seemed to be completely under control. Was this another test thrown at him by Cui Zhongcheng? Gu Shen noticed a part of a dark tattoo on the wrist of the hooded uncle, and silently noted this detail, ¡°Was Jiang Wan sent to me by you?¡± ¡°No... I¡¯m just an informant, I don¡¯t have that much ability.¡± Hu Danian shook his head and said regretfully, ¡°All this was arranged by Mr. Xiao Cui, who had actually hinted at her indirectly to find you, but unfortunately, this woman was somewhat foolish... and suffered needlessly for a few days.¡± Gu Shen did not respond. Since the fire case, he had seen the so-called big shots, their arrogant way of strategizing. In fact, he didn¡¯t quite like this behavior. ¡°Where is the sealed artifact?¡± Gu Shen asked, ¡°I¡¯ll go and deal with it.¡± ¡°Although the situation is still under control... the owner of the sealed artifact has not yet been found, there is no information about this person in the Deep Sea database, and what happens next is unpredictable.¡± Hu Danian looked at Gu Shen seriously, ¡°This is why I¡¯ve been waiting here for you, not just to inform you of the existence of the ¡®Solemn Gaze Sculpture¡¯¡ª¡± ¡°Mr. Cui asked me to convey a message, this Transcendent event isn¡¯t as simple as you imagine.¡± Hu Danian said gravely, ¡°This week... in the remote corners of Lipu Street and the river bank area, several deceased adult men have appeared, all killed by a clean and precise blade to the throat without any sign of struggle, and the wounds showed signs of Extraordinary Aura... Combined with the appearance of the ¡®Solemn Gaze Sculpture¡¯, we have reason to believe that a maniacal out-of-control is wandering nearby.¡± Chapter 71 - 71 69 Da Du and Black Hibiscus Flowers ?71: 69 Da Du and Black Hibiscus Flowers 71: 69 Da Du and Black Hibiscus Flowers Several more photos were passed over, all from the crime scene. Gu Shen only glanced at them briefly before hastily putting them away... The scene was indeed appalling, enough to provoke a visceral discomfort. Every victim bore wounds that were uniformly clean and sharp yet deeply penetrating to the bone. Their necks appeared as if slashed by a large knife, but oddly enough, the cuts stopped short of being fatal, leaving a thin layer of flesh connecting the head to the torso. The methods of the out-of-control one were extremely brutal. ¡°This guy¡¯s style is particularly vicious... and he¡¯s extremely careful, elusive like a ghost. Deep Sea hasn¡¯t captured any images until three days ago,¡± Hu Danian whispered. ¡°For some reason, he ventured into the most crowded part of the river bank, but he was bundled up tightly. We only caught a blurred image.¡± The last photo. It was a screenshot from the bar¡¯s surveillance, with crowds of people in the frame. A marker highlighted the outline of a man hurrying by, indeed heavily cloaked, with a black hat and a black mask obscuring his face. Tall and lean, he had a hunched back, appearing sickly thin. Upon closer inspection, one could indeed sense that he was concealing something in his arms. ¡°Is this the out-of-control one carrying the Sculpture of Solemn Eyes?¡± Gu Shen narrowed his eyes. ¡°It was here... that he had contact with Jiang Wan.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right... and after that, he disappeared again. Using Deep Sea¡¯s authority, we can accurately locate the victims influenced by the Sculpture of Solemn Eyes and thereby determine his movements. He has always been moving around Lipu Street and the river bank. Unfortunately, this method is always one step behind,¡± Hu Danian said somberly. ¡°The information I¡¯ve gathered so far is just this. However, there¡¯s one thing worth mentioning... I find this guy¡¯s logic very strange. If he¡¯s a serial killer who randomly draws his ¡®lucky¡¯ victims, why doesn¡¯t he unleash the full power of the Sculpture of Solemn Eyes?¡± Gu Shen fell into deep thought. Hu Danian said that so far, only twenty-four people had been affected by the Sculpture of Solemn Eyes... That number seemed quite low. For several days in a row, if the intent was to deliberately create chaos, the sculpture could affect hundreds, even thousands of people in a single day. ¡°Taking the dreams of ordinary people is not his intention...¡± Gu Shen murmured. ¡°These people are not his targets... he is hunting for something.¡± Hu Danian¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°This person has been lingering around Lipu River Beach without leaving, which means his prey is in this area,¡± Gu Shen said softly. ¡°Perhaps he is not randomly selecting, but targeting his hunting. As for the characteristics of the Sculpture of Solemn Eyes, I have a doubt... You said that it triggers its properties upon physical contact. What about the carrier himself?¡± ¡°This was once an object sealed in Deep Sea¡¯s vault, because even wearing gloves, without skin contact... the Sculpture of Solemn Eyes would still activate its properties,¡± Hu Danian frowned and spoke slowly. ¡°The conditions to trigger the Sculpture of Solemn Eyes is not so much physical contact as satisfying ¡®a certain distance¡¯...¡± Realizing something as he spoke, Hu Danian understood the purpose behind Gu Shen¡¯s questioning. ¡°Are you suggesting... that the carrier himself... his dreams have also been taken?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Gu Shen affirmed. ¡°Look at this photo... does he not look frail? I suspect that after wandering around the river bank with the Sculpture of Solemn Eyes for so long, his sleep must have been nearly plundered as well.¡± Hu Danian murmured, ¡°That makes sense...¡± ¡°However,¡± he paused, ¡°what good does knowing this do us?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about that.¡± ¡°You said before... Deep Sea can locate those insomniacs infected by the Sculpture of Solemn Eyes... right?¡± Gu Shen spoke softly. ¡°Send those who are still insomniac and in need of treatment to 18 Lipu Street. I¡¯ll take care of their treatment.¡± Hu Danian paused. His role was to liaise, to relay messages. He had only seen the photo of the contact person and was unaware of any other information. Following his usual practice, after giving the details... there was nothing more to say, the mission was complete. But this time, for the first time, he seriously regarded the young man beside him. He had been on the job for about fifteen years, had seen all kinds of people. Old friends, acquaintances, after awakening to Extraordinary Power, would more or less change their appearance... Perhaps they grew accustomed to life and death, or perhaps they witnessed the fragility of life before the force of Extraordinary Power, and gradually, in the course of their missions, the lives of ordinary people were no longer given top priority. Save them if you can. If you can¡¯t, then don¡¯t. The boy¡¯s pupils were clear and clean, like a calm lake. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I don¡¯t doubt you...¡± Gu Shen calmly said, ¡°I just feel... given your way of doing things, these victims will be given a low priority, and there may be accidental casualties. Of course, I know my own abilities, and I don¡¯t see myself as a savior, but if it¡¯s just about removing the Spiritual Infection from the stone carvings... I can handle it, and I¡¯d be happy to take over.¡± Aside from this point... he had another consideration. After curing Jiang Wan last time, his Chi Huo had become stronger. Although it was just a wisp, almost negligible... the fact that it was stronger was the truth! Gu Shen guessed that the enhancement of his Chi Huo was related to the removal of the Dream, and within the Spiritual Imprint provided to ordinary people by the stone carvings, there lay a trace of Extraordinary Essence. Even a mosquito¡¯s leg is still flesh. At this stage, Gu Shen was not willing to give up any opportunity to enhance his strength. ¡°Alright.¡± Hu Danian said indifferently, ¡°I will convey your willingness to Mr. Cui. Your readiness to take the job saves us a lot of trouble.¡± Gu Shen smiled. The conversation about the case ended here, and he was still somewhat interested in the identity of this hoodie-wearing uncle. ¡°May I ask who ¡®we¡¯ are referring to...?¡± Gu Shen rolled up his sleeve, pointed to the spot on his forearm and asked, ¡°Some kind of gang, maybe?¡± Hu Danian frowned slightly. He didn¡¯t try to cover up but instead slowly rolled up his sleeve to give Gu Shen a clearer view... It was indeed a glaring tattoo, black patterns coiling and encircling to form a shattered heart. This was a striking and bewitching flower blooming on the heart. ¡°Haven¡¯t seen this tattoo before?¡± Hu Danian looked at Gu Shen¡¯s perplexed expression and suddenly laughed, patting the latter¡¯s shoulder hard, drawing nearer and whispering, ¡°Kid, you really are new to Da Du. I could tell from the look in your eyes, as clean as a lamb entering a wolf¡¯s den. But have you really never heard of the ¡®Sincere Heart Association¡¯?¡± Gu Shen shook his head. Black Hibiscus... sacred and bewitching. ¡°Stay away from it if you ever see it again. You can¡¯t afford to mess with that organization.¡± Hu Danian took a wine glass from the bar and said leisurely, ¡°Here¡¯s your drink... Have a taste of the flavor of Da Du.¡± Gu Shen took a sip. He frowned slightly. ¡°How¡¯s the drink?¡± Hu Danian spread his hands and sat back at a corner of the bar, watching the neon lights ripple across the dance floor. Gu Shen put down the wine glass and answered honestly. ¡°Very sweet... and also very strong.¡± Chapter 72 - 72 70 The Sleepless ?72: Chapter 70: The Sleepless 72: Chapter 70: The Sleepless ¡°Ding-a-ling-ling¡ª¡ª¡± The third alarm at half-past twelve rang out and Zhou Yexin barely woke from her dream. She yawned heavily and struggled to turn off the alarm that had been buzzing annoyingly under her pillow for several cycles. Outside the window, sunlight poured in; it was already noon. What the hell? She had actually slept for twelve hours... and she still felt exhausted. Zhou Yexin mustered up her spirit, quickly washed and headed out. By the time she arrived at ¡°The Dream Speaker,¡± it was almost two o¡¯clock... As she ascended the stairs, she faintly felt something was amiss¡ªtoday the upper floor seemed unusually lively. ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu, thank you... thank you...¡± A middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes, his face filled with gratitude, fervently shook Gu Shen¡¯s hand. ¡°You are truly incredible... I haven¡¯t slept for several days... I¡¯ve transferred ten thousand yuan as a thank-you fee; it¡¯s just a small token of my appreciation, please be sure to accept it.¡± Apart from this gentleman, there were several... customers on the second floor. Three or four were lying down motionless, while one or two were in robust sleeping poses, snoring loudly like thunder. Zhou Yexin¡¯s face was full of astonishment, even doubting that she had come to the wrong place. What was going on? ¡°Make way, make way.¡± An urgent voice came from behind, a well-dressed lady carrying a bag and lifting her skirt, hurriedly climbed the narrow staircase in high heels. The moment she saw Gu Shen, her smile bloomed. She took out a bright red scroll from her bag... then unrolled it with a rustle. ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu, this is the pennant I ordered last night... It just got delivered today.¡± Jiang Wan smiled: ¡°What do you think, can it be hung here?¡± Zhou Yexin was dumbstruck. Once most of the people had dispersed, Gu Shen pulled Sister Xiao Xin aside, finding a relatively quiet corner to speak alone. He explained in a succinct manner. ¡°After you left last night, some clients came to the clinic... and then this morning, several more came... I didn¡¯t expect you to oversleep today, so I just started attending to them... that¡¯s pretty much it...¡± After listening, Zhou Yexin was stunned for a full minute. It took her a long time to digest Gu Shen¡¯s words... then she looked at him with a complex expression. ¡°You¡¯re saying, suddenly several insomniacs showed up...¡± Sister Xiao Xin said oddly: ¡°They haven¡¯t rested for several days... but you cured them all... you know hypnotism?¡± ¡°Um... I suppose so...¡± Gu Shen whispered to himself: ¡°But my hypnosis, unlike the psychological hypnosis you¡¯re thinking of, are not the same thing.¡± ¡°In any case... the issue has been resolved.¡± He didn¡¯t tell Sister Xiao Xin about the mass insomnia. Gu Shen didn¡¯t know... but now in Zhou Yexin¡¯s eyes, he had surely become a monster-level newcomer. Zhou Yexin couldn¡¯t help but hold her forehead, silently complaining. This is hardly an intern! If a psychology clinic opened next door, wouldn¡¯t this be like crashing the market? Pennants being sent over just after one night. ¡°Pretty good... pretty good...¡± Zhou Yexin laughed: ¡°I must have stumbled upon a treasure.¡± Although her feelings were somewhat mixed, overall she was quite satisfied. She went to the main hall, glanced at the pennant, checked its alignment, straightened its position, clicking her tongue: ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu, the master of revival. The slogan on this pennant is simple but profound upon deeper reflection...¡± Only then did Gu Shen notice the slogan on the pennant Jiang Wan had sent. He paused, his expression becoming odd. He had helped Jiang Wan reclaim her lost dreams... If this is considered the master of revival... ¡°Huh.¡± Gu Shen suddenly furrowed his brows, his gaze intensifying as he watched Sister Xiao Xin¡¯s retreating figure. Spiritual power had shown signs of trembling just a moment ago. On Sister Xiao Xin, the same Extraordinary Aura from those insomniac patients had appeared... ¡°Sister,¡± Gu Shen asked, ¡°Did you go back with Qu Shui last night?¡± ¡°Yes...¡± Zhou Yexin paused for a moment, then said, ¡°She lives near Lipu; I drove her some of the way.¡± ¡°On your way, did you encounter any strange people?¡± Gu Shen asked, gesturing, ¡°Dressed in all black, wearing a hat, tall and thin, hunched over.¡± ¡°Hiss...¡± Zhou Yexin rubbed her temples and responded with a bitter smile, ¡°Now that you mention it, it does seem like we did encounter someone like that, there¡¯s a vaguely familiar feeling, but there are so many people in Da Du, and that kind of outfit isn¡¯t exactly rare. I didn¡¯t sleep well last night, so I¡¯m not sure if I remember correctly.¡± Upon hearing this answer. Gu Shen already had a rough guess in his mind. Last night, Sister Xiao Xin didn¡¯t have insomnia; she just slept poorly... Most likely it was because of the pocket watch she carried, which was countering the effects of the stone sculpture¡¯s seal. However, she is, after all, an ordinary person who came into contact with the sealed item and was left with a mark. ¡°Why do you ask this?¡± Zhou Yexin turned to look at Gu Shen, whispering her complaint, ¡°Asking like that, it feels quite scary...¡± In the moment she turned around. She saw a hint of fiery glow at Gu Shen¡¯s brow. ¡°This is...¡± Zhou Yexin¡¯s expression became a bit blank; the pocket watch ticked once, and her eyes cleared of confusion. Having treated several insomnia patients in a row, this was the first time Gu Shen felt resistance during the hypnosis stage... Sister Xiao Xin¡¯s spiritual power was evidently stronger than theirs, and together with this seal, it seemed to be protecting her. ¡°Go ahead and dream peacefully. I am not a bad person.¡± Gu Shen spoke softly, his voice this time imbued with his own spiritual power, which had hypnotic effects. This statement, rather than being for Sister Xiao Xin, seemed more like it was meant for the pocket watch. Tick. The pocket watch stopped resisting. Zhou Yexin slowly closed her eyes and sat down in the chair, supported by Gu Shen, and deeply fell asleep. Extract nightmares, clear the mark. Additionally, absorb... a strand of Extraordinary Essence from the sealed item. This sequence of operations, which Gu Shen performed smoothly, and after absorbing several strands of Extraordinary Essence split from the stone sculpture, felt his Fiery Fire Power increase by nearly one-tenth. Although it was only as thick as a strand of hair, it was still a pleasing progress. Sister Xiao Xin would likely need to sleep a bit longer. After finishing these tasks, Gu Shen finally took a breather, and just as he was preparing to rest... a knock came from outside the door. ¡°Has another insomnia patient arrived...¡± Gu Shen opened the door, but was taken aback. A delicate little girl stood there, pitiful looking with a pale face, but her eye sockets were dark. ¡°Qu Shui?¡± He didn¡¯t expect Qu Shui to return so soon. ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu... I... came for another treatment...¡± With a sobbing tone in her voice, Qu Shui said, ¡°After the last treatment, my condition didn¡¯t improve... I couldn¡¯t sleep at all last night... could you have a look?¡± Gu Shen gazed at the girl, after watching for a few seconds, he sighed, ¡°Come in.¡± The girl, like a small animal fearful of being abandoned, hearing Gu Shen¡¯s words, cautiously entered. As Gu Shen was about to close the door. A lean and strong hand suddenly reached out from the crack in the door, grabbing hold of the gap. A hoarse voice came through. ¡°Could you also... have a look at me?¡± Qu Shui hid behind Gu Shen, carefully clutching at the hem of Gu Shen¡¯s clothes, looking towards the doorway, her face suddenly pale. Unknown to them, a thin hunched man stood outside the door. He was dressed in pitch black, his hat brim very low, making it impossible to see any part of his face. His voice, however, was dry as gauze, slowly squeezing out of his chest. ¡°I also... can¡¯t sleep...¡± Chapter 73 - 73 71 Joining the Game ?73: Chapter 71: Joining the Game 73: Chapter 71: Joining the Game Jiangtan serial killer. The crazed Transcendent carrying a sealed object. An extremely dangerous out-of-control being. These words had all been used by Hu Danian last night to describe the man before him, but in fact, it was only upon truly meeting him that he realized the guy¡¯s image was even more striking than these words... His entire body was cloaked in a set of ragged, foul-smelling black clothes, and his exposed skin was dry and pale, looking like a corpse or more like a ghost floating just above the ground. Describing him as a lonely evil ghost couldn¡¯t be more apt. Seen on the street by people, he would evoke the sensation of ¡°encountering a ghost in broad daylight.¡± Qu Shui was startled at the sight; she hid behind Gu Shen, and upon seeing the owner of the dry, withered palm in such attire, she whispered with a very small voice. ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu... this person... I think I¡¯ve seen him before...¡± ¡°Relax. I¡¯m here.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s expression remained calm. He glanced over, the door was being held ajar by a hand, seeming like it wouldn¡¯t give up until it came in. Seeing this cold, resolute demeanor, Gu Shen figured that even if he firmly slammed the door shut, it likely wouldn¡¯t let go. Gu Shen simply didn¡¯t bother closing the door, but rather opened it wide and stepped aside for the hunched-over man, ¡°Come in.¡± At this, the hunched-over man paused, seemingly taken aback. He slowly walked inside, eyeing the surroundings with wariness. ¡°Just a moment.¡± Gu Shen spoke lightly, taking Qu Shui to the western compartment; the girl hadn¡¯t slept all night, her demeanor both exhausted and frightened. She was about to say something when she heard Gu Shen¡¯s soothing voice. ¡°Look at me.¡± Qu Shui instinctively looked up, her gaze met Gu Shen¡¯s eyes, a flicker of Chi Huo reflected and danced in her pupils... The next moment, the girl¡¯s warm and soft body was steadily supported by Gu Shen as she drifted into a deep sleep. Gu Shen walked out of the western compartment with the hunched-over man, leading him to another partition, drawing the curtains. The room instantly became dark, leaving only the mottled light seeping through the gap in the curtains. ¡°Drawing the curtains makes the room darker, you should like that better,¡± Gu Shen said indifferently. ¡°After all, you haven¡¯t slept in so long... right?¡± The man narrowed his eyes, silent, just staring quietly at Gu Shen. ¡°The Lipu Street mass insomnia incident... Having stirred up such a commotion in Da Du, you must be aware that you¡¯ve been watched,¡± Gu Shen began slowly. ¡°Yet, you continue to offend and even took the initiative to show up... Obviously, you don¡¯t care, not about being caught, and not about dying either.¡± At the mention of not caring, The man across smiled. ¡°Gu Shen, you really... keep your cards close to your chest.¡± The other party addressed him by his name... Gu Shen¡¯s eyes lowered. ¡°If you can call out my name, it means you¡¯ve seen my file...¡± Gu Shen gently tapped on the table, smiling. ¡°Could it be regarding the fire case?¡± No response. Gu Shen continued softly, ¡°In fact, upon seeing the files of this Transcendent event, I sensed something was amiss. The earliest insomnia patient appeared on the river bank the night of the 8th... That was my first day in Da Du. From that day on, the sleepless began to appear one after another near Jiangtan Lipu... It¡¯s been nine days straight, and this range has never expanded. It doesn¡¯t seem like something an out-of-control being who has lost their mind would do.¡± On the plane, Cui Zhongcheng had told him. This mission... his own file was classified. And those who knew his itinerary were only the ¡°very few people¡± Mr. Xiao Cui spoke of, which was the key to the mission. Gu Shen finally understood what Cui Zhongcheng¡¯s true purpose was in sending him to Lipu Street. This was not just a simple vacation acclimation period. Actually, from the first day I landed in Da Du, the real mission had already begun, and I just didn¡¯t know it yet... There were already people hunting all over Da Du and along the river bank with the stone sculpture in hand, and their target was me! ¡°The person behind you... only knew I had arrived in Da Du and was near Jiangtan Lipu, but not my exact whereabouts,¡± Gu Shen whispered with a low chuckle, ¡°He was too impatient, thus he sent you. But the Suzhou Stone Carving isn¡¯t an artifact under your control. That¡¯s why there were mass insomnia events in the Jiangtan Lipu area... In truth, you were just trying to find me; the appearance of these insomniacs wasn¡¯t your intention.¡± ¡°...¡± The man fell silent, ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± ¡°What I¡¯m trying to say is... quite simple,¡± Gu Shen said. ¡°Any attempt to use fanatic actions to stop the progress of an era is both foolish and ignorant. The tide of an era will not cease for the death of any individual.¡± Veins throbbed on the man¡¯s forehead. Gu Shen¡¯s hands clasped together, his gaze fixed on the other party, his voice even deeper, like that of someone judging a criminal. ¡°To despise life, to kill the innocent wantonly, to trample on the rules...¡± ¡°If you believe what you¡¯re doing symbolizes light and justice, then why does the Changjiu Foundation hide underground?¡± A burst of angry protest sounded. ¡°Enough!¡± The man cut off Gu Shen, and flames of rage burned fiercely in his eyes. Perhaps due to extreme fatigue, even his voice sounded weary and weak despite the fury. ¡°Justice is nothing but the most magnificent excuse in this world... Those standing in the light, they¡¯re just the victors. We hide underground only to reach a farther end!¡± He looked down at Gu Shen from his lofty position and asked coldly, ¡°What do you think the Judgement Institute is, if not another tainted institution?¡± Gu Shen¡¯s expression did not change; he fixed his gaze intently on the gaunt man... This line of dialogue had been his provocation. It was to infuriate the other party! Indeed, this man was a member of the Changjiu Foundation! With this response, a weight settled in Gu Shen¡¯s heart, yet it also gave rise to greater wariness. His fear was not of the Changjiu Foundation, but of Cui Zhongcheng. Many feared Mr. Xiao Cui. Even Senior Sister Luo said that Cui Zhongcheng was a cold and unfeeling person. At that moment, Gu Shen truly felt the terror that was Cui Zhongcheng. The pleasant conversations they had before seemed to be a facade. Arriving in Da Du, he had unwittingly become a pawn in Cui Zhongcheng¡¯s scheme... On the plane, Cui Zhongcheng had said his file was highly confidential, disclosed to only a few. Clearly, his file was disclosed only to those Cui Zhongcheng suspected. Under the situation where the fire case clues had been disrupted. This move of ¡°luring the enemy into a trap¡± made the undercover agent of the Changjiu Foundation jump gleefully into the trap. The price was... I had to face the ensuing deathtrap alone. ¡°Since we¡¯ve met, it doesn¡¯t matter if you know my identity...¡± The man chuckled softly, ¡°After all, we¡¯re both already corpses.¡± ¡°Clang.¡± A delicate stone sculpture was taken out by the man and placed heavily on the table. The sculpture¡¯s surface bore the fierce face of an evil ghost, causing a sharp pain in the head of any normal person who glanced at it from even a distance. A D-level sealed artifact, the Suzhou Stone Carving! Recorded in the files, if touched, or if one got too close, one¡¯s spiritual power would be absorbed by the sculpture. In fact, the fundamental reason it seized dreams was that an evil ghost Dream capable of devouring spirit was engraved within it. Due to carrying the stone sculpture for an extended period, the man was already withered. His spirit had long been devoured to exhaustion. But at this moment, his expression was unusually excited. After taking out the sculpture, the man¡¯s actions did not stop there. He lifted the wide, foul-smelling, black coat to reveal bulging, heavy objects underneath. Gu Shen¡¯s pupils contracted... those were old explosives strapped around his body. ¡°To hell with the new age!¡± The man abruptly stood up, the deep sockets of his eyes reflecting intense flames. He lunged at Gu Shen, shouting loudly. ¡°Long live the Changjiu Foundation!¡± Chapter 74 - 74 72 Cocoon Killing ?74: Chapter 72: Cocoon Killing 74: Chapter 72: Cocoon Killing A hiss. The explosive¡¯s fuse was ignited by the man without hesitation. Dazzling flames burst forth within the dim room. Like a moth, he leaped from the chair, vaulted over the long table, and lunged at Gu Shen. At that moment, the stone sculpture engraved with evil ghosts sent out rippling waves of spiritual energy that induced sleep¡ª It was a crudely crafted trap designed to kill. But it was effective. Spiritual Extraordinaries could resist the influence of the stone sculpture, but they could not stop the explosion of the explosives. If one belonged to the offensive or nature types, it might be possible to prevent the explosives from detonating. However... the stone sculpture would greatly reduce their reaction time. Gu Shen stared at the man flying towards him, who now filled his entire field of vision¡ª A shadow loomed over him. Yet, his thoughts remained incredibly calm. In that moment, as the world in his eyes seemed to freeze in time, everything around him slowed to a crawl, each and every object... the paper fluttering in the wind, the tilting swaying cabinet, the tossed recording pen, all immobilized in this single frame, frozen into a spattering painting. Within Gu Shen¡¯s field of vision. The main character of this frozen painting was the fervent Believer who ignited the explosives and charged at him. And from a perspective overlooking the entire room... The main character of the painting was the youth holding the Ruler, with the blazing Chi Huo upon his brow. ¡°1.5 seconds...¡± Gu Shen¡¯s attention was more focused than ever; his entire gaze fixed on the man¡¯s waist where the fuse lay. At that moment, his spirit seemed to condense into a single point. He identified the explosives the other was carrying. They were high explosives made primarily with trinitrotoluene, portable, safe, stable, and once ignited with a detonator, powerful enough to flatten an entire building. This rudimentary and ancient method of producing explosives had been replaced by newer ones, effective yet flawed due to a delayed detonation. From lighting to detonation, the explosives needed about 1.5 seconds. This... was the delay time. It was also the time Gu Shen had left in the real world. As the 1.5-second countdown just began, the stone sculpture on the table engraved with the evil ghost bared its fangs. And then a spiritual ripple, faster than the burning fuse, spread instantaneously, enveloping Gu Shen. The paper, cabinet, recording pen, and even the curtains tossed to the fringes of his peripheral vision, all were replaced by a black mess of code¡ª He was pulled into the dream sphere of the stone sculpture. For Gu Shen, this wasn¡¯t necessarily a bad thing. In the dream world created by the sealed objects, time flowed differently than in the real world... Perhaps only extended by a few seconds, but those few seconds were often enough to save a life. Gu Shen stood within the familiar dark dream sphere. His thoughts spread swiftly. The Changjiu Foundation¡¯s setup, although crude, was actually very effective. The stone sculpture combined with high explosives, this simple and brutal method, could almost eliminate any unprepared newbie Transcendent. The only loophole was that they had misjudged his Dream Interpretation ability... The Ghost Cage, which was once a Class S sealed object with an embedded dream sphere, was several levels stronger than the stone sculpture. It took him only one minute to complete the Dream Interpretation. The emergence of this dream sphere... on the contrary, provided Gu Shen with extra time for calm contemplation. What truly troubled him was the high explosive that ignited the detonator. If faced with this trap, a Spiritual Transcendent of Senior Sister Luo¡¯s caliber would likely ¡°reverse the rule¡± without hesitation. Ignition would turn into extinguishment, and the explosives would not detonate at all. Even... if the explosives actually detonated, Senior Sister Luo would have the ability to ¡°take it back¡± with her own hands. But Gu Shen couldn¡¯t use the Truth Ruler to mimic such a feat... because he still couldn¡¯t grasp the principle behind such a method. The Truth Ruler could gather spiritual power, but it couldn¡¯t directly act upon causality. If he were to use the Truth Ruler, wanting to accomplish a miracle akin to Broken Mirror Reunion, one would need to gather spiritual power to reattach each shattered piece back onto the frame, each stick a separate, complicated process unto itself. By the same logic, it was impossible to use the Truth Ruler to directly change the fact that the explosives had already been detonated. ¡°If I let the explosion happen, the entire building will be blown apart.¡± Gu Shen took a deep breath. ¡°Stay calm... stay calm... there must be a way to solve this...¡± Could his extraordinary ability save the situation... Chi Huo... creation... barriers... ¡°Got it!¡± At the critical moment, a flash of inspiration surged through his mind, and Gu Shen¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up. He lifted his arm and tore fiercely. The pitch-black nightmare instantly ripped apart, and the menacing evil ghosts above the dream realm let out a wail. Bright as Chi Huo, like a long spear, accompanied Gu Shen¡¯s lifting hand, instantly pierced through the evil ghost. It took only a moment, the stone-carved dream shattered! Gu Shen opened his eyes. In reality, less than a second had passed from entering the nightmare to completing the dream interpretation. The cluster of black shadows that had jumped towards him off the desk was about to hit him; they were less than a meter apart, and he saw the splashing blaze of fire and the eyes of the foundation members, more intense than the fire itself. ¡°Hoo...¡± In the silent 0.5 seconds, Gu Shen could hear the sound of his long breath being exhaled. The surface of the silver ruler, its dull scales slowly lit up one by one. A burst of snow-white light fiercely enveloped him. In the gathered picture, the young man seated on the chair appeared to be the king who ruled the world¡¯s laws. Gu Shen calmly gazed at the man hurling himself toward him. He heard his own voice in his Heart Sea. [¡°Ants...¡±] The Ruler was raised. At the pointed spot, a burst of surging light exploded suddenly. An explosion powerful enough to level the entire building stopped half a meter in front of Gu Shen, the splashing light and fire seeming to hit a transparent wall. Not just one wall. Front, back, left, right, up, and down. The large amount of trinitrotoluene in the fire-thunder tube detonated completely in the violent collision, yet these high explosives seemed to be held in a cage like tides, the mighty flames suppressed to the extreme, crashing into the walls of the cage like waves hitting a cliff, only to retreat. The barriers on all sides vibrated with countless threads of pale light, and the dim and narrow room seemed to experience a stellar explosion, instantly brilliant as if in broad daylight. Gu Shen, holding the silver Ruler, calmly watched the scene. After using the Truth Ruler, he felt as if he had truly become a God, coldly observing all things from above. His expression was calm, as if admiring a painting. Sheets of paper picked up by the wind gently returned to their place, the tilting, shaking shelves no longer trembled, a dropped pen fell back to the table, the curtains no longer fluttered; everything in the room was tranquil. The only exception was that small blazing fire cage. The intense explosion wouldn¡¯t leak out of the barriers at all; there was no worry that anyone outside would hear it. Blood and bone were flattened in the instant the explosion began. The crimson color appeared for only a flash, then was covered by pale light. The blood was burnt by the intense heat, the bones ground into ash. This was like a pantomime. A moth embracing fire, fluttering towards the sun. So, there was only... a fleeting brilliance. The light enveloped him. Like a giant cocoon. Chapter 75 - 75 73 ?75: 73. Diary 75: 73. Diary ¡°The course of events... was roughly like this.¡± A breeze blew through. The curtain fluttered gently. The window, open a crack, creaked with the ingress of a slight chill of autumn, and as it was already evening and the lights in the room were off, a somber gloom created a somewhat oppressive atmosphere. Hu Danian silently observed the scene in the room. It was hard to believe that a horrific explosion had just occurred here. According to Gu Shen¡¯s description, the amount of explosives was enough to blow up half of Lipu Street... yet such an abundant amount of explosives hadn¡¯t even torn a single piece of paper in this room. The room was clean and tidy, tranquil enough to lull one to sleep. Gu Shen sat on a chair and spoke softly, ¡°All in all, the matter has been resolved; let¡¯s not delve into the details... You can report to Cui Zhongcheng like this: I used my abilities to suppress the explosion.¡± Hu Danian looked meaningfully at the young man sitting across the table, his face an embodiment of gentleness and sincerity. Now he had completely changed his first impression of Gu Shen... Initially, he had thought him to be just a clever newcomer who had luckily caught Mr. Xiao Cui¡¯s attention. Now he believed that nothing was coincidental, and Gu Shen must be a Transcendent who had been secretly trained to a monstrous level. What level of a Transcendent would it take to suppress such a huge amount of explosives? Certainly not something he could achieve! ¡°Don¡¯t worry, little monster, I¡¯m not interested in your information... I¡¯m only responsible for completing Mr. Cui¡¯s missions,¡± Hu Danian commented, clicking his tongue in admiration, ¡°This river bank serial killer case has kept me up for several days without a good night¡¯s sleep; today, at last, I can finally rest in peace.¡± He brought along a bronze safe that looked very antique. The cabinet was not too large, manageable for an adult to easily carry around, with enough space to house the miniature stone sculpture. Upon opening, one would discover that the inner surface of the bronze cabinet was coated with a layer of red, crystal-like substance. He put on black gloves which also had a thin layer of red plating on the surface. ¡°What is this?¡± Gu Shen asked, frowning. ¡°This plated substance is called ¡®red silver,¡¯ a Strong Logic Material,¡± Hu Danian replied concisely while carefully cradling the stone sculpture to place it inside the safe, moving extremely slowly and cautiously, only breathing a sigh of relief when the safe was closed. He patiently explained, ¡°Different sealing artifacts need to be archived in different ways. Artifacts like the ¡®stemming gaze stone sculpture¡¯ that emit malice on their own and cannot be tamed require complete isolation. Generally, sealing artifacts below Grade A can have their Extraordinary Traits suppressed with red silver material.¡± In fact, the moment he heard ¡®Strong Logic Material,¡¯ Gu Shen roughly understood the principle behind it. Transcendent is a disorderly force that destroys logic. And Strong Logic Material... is likely a special substance that suppresses Extraordinary Traits. ¡°What about Grade A and above?¡± Gu Shen asked again. ¡°There are even more special materials. Actually, red silver is pretty handy; it can be synthesized artificially, and its effectiveness is quite satisfactory, so it¡¯s widely used for archiving sealing artifacts... I¡¯ve heard that the special materials used to archive higher-order sealing artifacts often cannot be synthesized,¡± Hu Danian shrugged his shoulders, ¡°With my rank, I will probably never encounter such sealing artifacts in my lifetime, will I?¡± At this point, he glared at Gu Shen, ¡°You kid... why so many questions?¡± ¡°Well, you know... I¡¯m a newbie,¡± Gu Shen replied with a scratch of his head and a smile, swiftly changing the subject, ¡°Once the ¡®stemming gaze stone sculpture¡¯ is taken away, does it mean the mission is complete?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Hu Danian responded softly, glancing at his watch, ¡°Next is to retrieve the sealing artifact, report to Mr. Cui, and then the mission can be considered complete. By the way... what about the two next door...?¡± He pointed through the wall to the room beside them. Sister Xiao Xin and Qu Shui... the two were still submerged in their dreams. ¡°In another half an hour or so, they should wake up. They aren¡¯t aware of this matter and can be considered victims,¡± Gu Shen stated calmly, ¡°Those who have had their dreams stolen by the ¡®stemming gaze stone sculpture,¡¯ even if they recover, will feel particularly tired in the near future; it¡¯s better for their health to sleep longer.¡± Since they were unaware, there was no need for any special treatment. Hu Danian nodded, picked up the bronze cabinet, ¡°Okay, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be going.¡± ¡°Wait a moment...¡± Gu Shen stopped him, slowly raised his head, and said earnestly, ¡°I want to meet Cui Zhongcheng.¡± During the conversation by the lake, Gu Shen had a good impression of Cui Zhongcheng. But this time... after becoming involved, Gu Shen¡¯s view of Cui Zhongcheng had completely changed. The mild conversation by the lake was all a sham; no sooner had he set foot in Da Du than he was thrown out as bait. The recent assassination attempt, if not for his quick reflexes and accurate response, would have been the end of him... This kind of cold indifference is no wonder even the bigwigs of the audit team are wary of him. Even for investigating a fire disaster, there¡¯s no need to use such extreme measures, is there? Gu Shen was now seething with anger and wanted to confront Cui Zhongcheng face to face. Upon hearing this, Hu Danian turned around somewhat helplessly. ¡°As far as I know, Mr. Xiao Cui is very busy,¡± he said oddly, looking at Gu Shen. ¡°Didn¡¯t he give you a contact method?¡± ¡°...¡± Gu Shen suddenly fell silent. Only then did he realize that from the meeting by the lake to the plane landing, Cui Zhongcheng hadn¡¯t really given him any contact information. ¡°That means he doesn¡¯t want to see you,¡± Hu Danian said, seeing Gu Shen¡¯s reaction, and smirked slyly, ¡°Mr. Xiao Cui is a very thorough person. He always covers his tracks. If he didn¡¯t give you a contact method, then he must not want to see you. However... in light of the camaraderie of this mission, I¡¯ll mention it when I report progress, but let me tell you upfront, it¡¯s very likely he¡¯ll ignore it.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s expression was rigid; he could only nod, reluctantly swallowing his pride. He was filled with rage... Was this also within Cui Zhongcheng¡¯s calculations? After Hu Danian left. The room returned to silence once again. Gu Shen sighed deeply and struggled to lift his arm, feeling the soreness and numbness spreading through his palm to the rest of his body. From the afternoon until the evening, he had sat motionless in the chair for several hours... not because he was lazy, but because operating the Truth Ruler this time still consumed a large amount of spiritual power. The energy in the material world is conserved. To suppress an explosive of that magnitude, the spiritual power consumed by the Truth Ruler... was extremely immense. Holding the ruler, immersed in the state of command, Gu Shen felt nothing at the time. It wasn¡¯t until the power of the ruler dissipated and the fervent Changjiu Foundation Believer was blown to bits that he realized something was amiss. Standing on the peak, the higher you are, the more painful it is when you fall from the clouds. Three to four hours passed, and the soreness and numbness slowly faded away. However, it must be said... the Jingzhe Breathing Technique¡¯s cultivation had greatly enhanced Gu Shen¡¯s spiritual power. If it had been twenty days earlier, using the ruler like this would have caused him to immediately fall into a deep sleep after his fall from the clouds. Gu Shen slowly reached out, bringing back the white paper that had not been destroyed in the explosion. He turned on the desk lamp, illuminating the table with light. There had been a drawing on the white paper, a few simple strokes outlining an innocent girl holding a book. Looking at his own sketch, Gu Shen could not help but laugh quietly. His fingers slowly touched the girl on the paper as he whispered softly, ¡°Ten days... I wonder how you¡¯re getting on.¡± From the inside of his clothing, he took out a notebook identical to Cui Zhongcheng¡¯s. In this era, many people had abandoned paper and pen, but Gu Shen hadn¡¯t. While working as a Dream Speaker, he took time every day to organize his thoughts in this notebook. ¡°November 17th, clear. The tenth day since Chu Ling disconnected the link; I hope she is well and safe.¡± ¡°A lot happened today...¡± ¡°The Lipu Street group insomnia case was solved, the Stone of Vigilance sculpture was recovered, the out-of-control was punished.¡± ¡°Cui Zhongcheng¡¯s guess was not wrong. It was the Changjiu Foundation that wanted to kill me. They will not let things go until the master behind the scenes is caught. There might be more coming after me... I cannot sit idle; I must take action...¡± As he wrote this. Gu Shen¡¯s thoughts became a bit sluggish, and at that moment, there was a knock on the door. It must be Sister Xiao Xin or Qu Shui waking up. Gu Shen clenched his fist; the soreness and numbness had almost completely dissipated. He put away the notebook and sat up straight, saying, ¡°Come in.¡± Chapter 76 - 76 74 Asking about Fire ?76: Chapter 74: Asking about Fire 76: Chapter 74: Asking about Fire It was Qu Shui who came into the room. The girl rubbed her eyes and asked cautiously, ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu... were you also sleeping?¡± The room was very dark, illuminated only by a desk lamp, and with Gu Shen leaned over the desk, it appeared as if he was taking a nap. His legs were still somewhat sore and unresponsive... Gu Shen tried to stand up, gave up immediately after a try, and continued in his current posture, smiling, ¡°I was organizing files and lost track of time... Could you turn on the light for me? Where is Sister Xiao Xin?¡± ¡°She¡¯s still resting,¡± she replied. As Qu Shui turned on the light and the illumination fell, her pale skin gained some color. She sat on the chair reservedly and complimented softly, ¡°This has been the best sleep I¡¯ve had in days... Dr. Xiao Gu, I think you¡¯re even more amazing than Sister Xiao Xin!¡± Gu Shen smiled, ¡°It¡¯s psychological, don¡¯t take it too seriously.¡± ¡°Um...¡± The girl looked down, fidgeting with her fingers, seeming to be brewing something. After several seconds, she mustered her courage, ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu... are you free tonight?¡± Gu Shen paused. ¡°Last time... actually...¡± Qu Shui¡¯s voice got quieter and her cheeks reddened. Gu Shen then remembered. Last time, Qu Shui mentioned it was late and she was afraid to walk alone at night. Sister Xiao Xin said she lived not far from Lipu Street... The fear of walking alone at night was probably just an excuse. She wanted to be alone with him. Gu Shen wasn¡¯t a fool, and by now, he had probably guessed Qu Shui¡¯s intentions. Indeed. ¡°I was wondering if you... are free tonight?¡± Qu Shui¡¯s fingers intertwined, her pretty face blushing, ¡°I would like to invite you to dinner to express my gratitude.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry...¡± Gu Shen pondered for a moment, then politely declined, ¡°I might be quite busy.¡± In fact, he was almost off work and had no special appointments scheduled for the day. However, due to too many occurrences, Gu Shen wanted some time alone to clear his thoughts. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I can wait for you,¡± Qu Shui lifted her small face, earnestly saying, ¡°No matter how late.¡± Gu Shen somewhat felt a headache coming on. ¡°By the way... that oddly dressed uncle from the afternoon?¡± Qu Shui suddenly asked this question. Hearing this, Gu Shen inwardly said, That uncle... is actually right in front of you, just not visible to the naked eye. Qu Shui rubbed her little head and said, ¡°I just remembered, that strange uncle, I seem to have seen him more than once... before on the river bank, I saw him once too.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Gu Shen¡¯s eyes lit up, his expression becoming grave, ¡°Do you remember when it was the last time you saw him?¡± This could become an important clue in his investigation of the Changjiu Foundation. Qu Shui made a thoughtful face, and after a moment, she looked at Gu Shen seriously, feeling guilty, ¡°I can¡¯t quite remember... Is this important to you, Dr. Xiao Gu?¡± Gu Shen felt a bit disappointed. He thought for a while and asked, ¡°How about the exact location of that encounter?¡± If he could determine the general area, he could use ¡°profiling¡± to capture some leads. ¡°Um...¡± Qu Shui tilted her head, cunningly smiled and said, ¡°I might need to recall properly, but if Dr. Xiao Gu accompanies me for a walk around the river bank... I might be able to remember.¡± So she was waiting for this opportunity? Gu Shen found it a bit funny yet felt helpless for a moment. This girl was crafty and not as simple as he had imagined. ¡°Alright, I will accompany you to the river bank... but I¡¯m busy tonight, you might need to wait a bit,¡± Gu Shen glanced at his watch, said gravely, ¡°If you mind, we can postpone it until tomorrow.¡± ¡°Of course I don¡¯t mind!¡± Hearing this response, Qu Shui seemed transformed, her face full of joy, and she immediately agreed. Then her voice softened again, ¡°I¡¯ll... I¡¯ll go back first, change clothes... Dr. Xiao Gu, I¡¯ll wait for you downstairs!¡± ... ... When Zhou Yexin woke up, the wall clock was striking the hour. She sat up, holding her forehead and glanced at her pocket watch, feeling a headache coming on. ¡°Five o¡¯clock... damn it... work¡¯s over...¡± What was wrong with her today... sleeping till noon, returning to the clinic, and sleeping until five in the afternoon... Even now, she still felt sleepy, likely able to sleep through the night once she got home. Was she possessed by a tireless ghost? However, miraculously, after the nap that afternoon, she felt much more relaxed. Last night¡¯s sleep was terribly poor, as if she had overexerted her body. Zhou Yexin rubbed her temples; her body now felt comfortable, the sense of overexertion had completely vanished, though she was still a bit tired. She turned her head towards the next room. The light in the neighboring cubicle was still on. Gu Shen had not left yet. ... ... When Zhou Yexin pushed the door open, Gu Shen was listing the common characteristics between the Lipu Street insomnia case and the Qing River fire incident on paper, trying to find certain traits of the Changjiu Foundation in these two cases... In the corner of the paper, there was a large circle encompassing the words ¡®river bank serial killings¡¯. Gu Shen slowly drew a question mark. Having done this, he looked up and smiled, ¡°Sister Xiao Xin... have you finally woken up?¡± Gu Shen had been waiting for her to wake up. Because she had just awakened to her Transcendence, his Spirit Hypnosis was not yet proficient. It was more than enough for ordinary people. But for someone like Sister Xiao Xin, who possessed the special ¡°pocket watch,¡± it might not entirely erase the memory. If Zhou Yexin woke up and still retained memories similar to Chi Huo, according to the rules of the Judgement Institute, he would have to apply hypnosis again to ensure she forgot the relevant details, preventing any subsequent troubles. He had probably already figured out how to handle the situation. If she still retained relevant memories, he would just use Chi Huo again, making this day seem like any ordinary day in Sister Xiao Xin¡¯s memory. It was a good opportunity to understand the intricacies of the pocket watch, considering it was an Extraordinary Item. But what happened next was beyond Gu Shen¡¯s expectations. Zhou Yexin took a seat designated for guests, then took out the pocket watch exuding an Extraordinary Aura from within her bosom. ¡°Xiao Gu...¡± ¡°There are some things I really want to tell you, I don¡¯t know if you¡¯ll think I¡¯m crazy.¡± She pondered for a long time, then slowly said, ¡°Do you know? In this world, there are some things... that cannot be explained by science.¡± Gu Shen could only remain silent. In his silence, he didn¡¯t even pretend to show surprise or astonishment anymore, he just quietly watched her, because he thought it very necessary to perform a second hypnosis on Zhou Yexin after today¡¯s conversation to erase the relevant memories. ¡°I¡¯m glad you didn¡¯t think I¡¯m crazy...¡± Zhou Yexin, seeing Gu Shen¡¯s serious listening reaction, laughed self-deprecatingly. ¡°Perhaps this is why Mr. Tang sent you to help me... You and he are alike, both of you are enigmatic.¡± ¡°Seeing the scene on the second floor today, I suddenly realized that I had underestimated you. You¡¯ve been organizing the experiment reports these days; anyone else seeing my experiments would probably think they are ridiculous and absurd, but you were too calm, an unusual composure for someone your age.¡± ¡°Xiao Gu.¡± With that, Zhou Yexin lowered her head. ¡°Today at noon I saw... the fire in your brow.¡± Her gaze settled on the face of the pocket watch, where a needle was jumping back and forth, ticking noisily at a certain scale. ¡°Can you tell me... what that is?¡± Chapter 77 - 77 75 The Broken Pocket Watch ?77: Chapter 75: The Broken Pocket Watch 77: Chapter 75: The Broken Pocket Watch Gu Shen let out a small sigh. The second hypnosis was inevitable... Zhou Yexin turned out to be sharper than others, she even caught a glimpse of her own Chi Huo. However, before hypnosis, he decided to tell Sister Xiao Xin the truth she had been tirelessly searching for. ¡°That wisp of flame... is the same kind of thing as your pocket watch,¡± Gu Shen said calmly, ¡°There are indeed phenomena in this world that science cannot explain... Your research direction is correct, and your thinking is not flawed. Dreams and the material world are intricately linked; they influence each other. Matter affects the spirit, and the spirit, in turn, can determine matter.¡± ¡°This is one of the reasons... Mr. Tang Qingquan sent me here.¡± Gu Shen affirmed Zhou Yexin¡¯s experimental direction. But unexpectedly, she did not show any signs of relief or relaxation. Calm. Very calm. Just calm. Discovering the Transcendent in the ordinary world is a lonely road fraught with thorns and wind snow; from her studies in Central Continent to sampling in Da Du, this woman¡¯s experiments had led her through untold hardships. ¡°I know.¡± But she just smiled, looking at her pocket watch, and said, ¡°... My experiment is right, I¡¯ve always known.¡± She lifted her head, ¡°Are you and Mr. Tang the same kind of people?¡± ¡°Yes... In a way, we are all the same, except that a small portion of fellows are somewhat luckier.¡± Gu Shen did not know what made Sister Xiao Xin so determined. He suddenly thought of the Awakening Decree, of what Cui Zhongcheng had said by the lake ¨C that Transcendent Awakening could be controlled by humans, and if one day the decree was truly issued, then everyone might have the potential to become a Transcendent. Perhaps one day, the secrets of Transcendents would no longer be secrets. After a moment of silence, he looked into Zhou Yexin¡¯s eyes and said seriously, ¡°Our kind of people... are called ¡®Transcendents.''¡± ¡°Transcendents...¡± Zhou Yexin murmured softly, lowering her eyelids, and her hair fell forward, covering her cheeks. No one saw the slight moistness in her eyes. She took a deep breath, wiped her face, and when she looked up again, the Chi Huo flickered on the young man opposite her. ¡°Sister Xiao Xin, thank you for taking care of me these past few days...¡± Gu Shen¡¯s voice was very soft, ¡°Now is not the time, please forget all this.¡± The Chi Huo flickered. The pocket watch ticked, fighting against Gu Shen this time. Zhou Yexin smiled with satisfaction, holding the pocket watch. The next moment, as the owner¡¯s will succumbed to sleep, the hands of the pocket watch ceased their agitation... ¡°Finally... it¡¯s just us now.¡± Gu Shen¡¯s gaze focused on the malfunctioning pocket watch, his Chi Huo swept out, coming to rest at the spot between Zhou Yexin¡¯s brows, slowly melting in, ¡°Let me have a good look in the Dream, at your true origin.¡± ... ... Vehicles sped by. The sunlight was glaring. Opening his eyes, Gu Shen saw shadows of cars streaking across the asphalt road, the roaring and clamor suddenly receding in his ears. This was the first time he had entered such a bright and warm Dream, without any oppressive clouds or peculiar rules; it felt like a very real world on an afternoon, and he could even sense that his mood was quite cheerful... He originally intended to investigate the origin of Zhou Yexin¡¯s pocket watch during this hypnosis session. This Extraordinary Item contained a weak aura, but it still fell within the category of sealed items. ¡°The earliest memory of the pocket watch... is it from childhood?¡± Gu Shen lowered his head. He saw his own tender, pale palms. Then... he felt himself slowly walking forward; although he could move his gaze freely, his body¡¯s movements were not under his control. The owner of this body was the childhood Zhou Yexin. Although he had come to the Dream, he was just a spectator, or rather, a ghost dwelling within the host¡¯s shell. ¡°Be careful.¡± A broad, powerful palm landed on top of his head. Gu Shen saw a tall man in a suit, holding ¡°himself¡±. The man¡¯s voice was warm, comforting, though his face was obscured by a mass of scrambled code... ¡°Is this... Zhou Yexin¡¯s father?¡± Gu Shen was startled, ¡°But... why can¡¯t I see his face?¡± The girl in the Dream murmured with a hint of grievance in her voice. ¡°Dora is missing... I need to find her...¡± The man crouched down, his face a torrent of scrambled code, yet his voice remained heartwarmingly gentle, ¡°Don¡¯t cry, daddy will buy you another one.¡± ¡°But... another one... won¡¯t be Dora...¡± The girl sobbed and vigorously wiped her cheeks, straining to look across the street, her voice intermittent, ¡°I lost Dora... I have to find her...¡± The man whose face couldn¡¯t be seen extended a hand, wiping away the tears on the girl¡¯s face. ¡°No crying, okay? If you cry and your face gets all smeared, you won¡¯t look pretty... Daddy will take you to find Dora.¡± He led the girl across the street, then through the grass. Gu Shen noticed... the colors in this Dream had suddenly changed. The originally warm sunshine began to fade, clouds covered by leaden skies, and the bustling sounds of car horns no longer filled the air. The whole world became quiet, desolate. The man holding her hand, however, walked with steady steps, exuding a very strong sense of security. The two eventually stopped in front of a villa, red bricks with white tiles. The day had ended. Leaden skies pressed down. At this moment, the Dream was no longer warm as it began but instead emanated an immense sense of oppression from every direction. ¡°Daddy... I see Dora!¡± The girl shouted with joy, under the eaves of the villa hung a rabbit doll, the small toy swinging in the wind. Her expression of delight froze after she took just one step, her voice coming to an abrupt halt. The once immaculate little rabbit doll now had its chest pierced, its body hollowed out, and a red string hung it up, shaking and covered with mud. ¡°We found Dora,¡± said the man softly. ¡°Xiao Xin, stand here and don¡¯t move. Daddy will bring Dora back home.¡± He walked toward the villa. Thunder rumbled from within the leaden clouds. As the thunder sounded, the villa in the Dream suddenly exploded, large shards of glass bursting forth, a fierce Chi Huo wave spurted from inside, a fiery blaze shot straight to Skytop, the mighty flames instantly swallowing up Daddy¡¯s figure¡ª The girl stood there dazed, her pupils reflecting a fierce crimson inferno. She was standing on the edge of a sea of fire. At her feet, a small flame had just sprung up from the wild grass, immediately extinguished by the pouring rain. Thunder trembled, rain poured down, and the whole world was ice-cold in its silence, with only the ruined villa dancing in the soaring firelight, which felt as hot as a purgatory. A tall figure in the core of the explosion got hit by the massive impact, was thrown into the air the moment it happened, and crashed heavily to the ground, but he did not die... He struggled to his feet, knelt on the ground, and slowly moved until he reached the boundary between the pouring rain and the searing tide, his trembling hand presenting a doll. The rabbit doll¡¯s surface was coated with a layer of light red, as if time had reversed, restored to its original clean and unblemished state. ¡°Daddy...¡± The girl¡¯s voice was soft. She took the rabbit and hugged it tightly in her arms. She recognized the man who had been burned beyond recognition. This time, the man didn¡¯t wipe her tears away. His hand lifted somewhat awkwardly, wanting to reach out, but ultimately held back. ¡°Xiao Xin... be good from now on...¡± The man smiled gently, the crimson flames having engulfed him completely, making him look like a tragic bloodied figure. These were flames that ordinary people couldn¡¯t understand, blood-red and blinding, as though they could swallow everything, burn everything. The wind howled, the blood-red light in the storm flickered wildly, like evil ghosts laughing maniacally. Daddy¡¯s figure was burned by fire, blown out by the wind, shattered by the rain. The firestorm raged on for a long time, the girl stood in the rain, holding the rabbit tightly, as countless passersby walked through the Dream¡¯s world. They were unimportant, leaving behind only dark silhouettes and blurred faces in the Dream. In the end, the sirens wailed softly, ambulances arrived. Many people gathered in front of this burned-out sea of fire, they spectated, investigated, collected evidence. But they didn¡¯t find anything here. Not even a shred of cloth to prove that this man had existed; all had been turned to nothing. Only a lonely survivor remained... a little girl holding a rabbit doll. After a long while, when everyone else had left, there were no more clear skies in the Dream after the fire, just endless rain, a world shrouded in darkness. ¡°...¡± The little girl felt a hard object inside Dora¡¯s body. ¡°Click.¡± ¡°Click.¡± In the silent Dream, a rhythmic, monotonous ticking sound emerged. The girl pulled out from inside the rabbit doll the only thing her father had left behind in the fire. It was a pocket watch. The watch had suffered severe damage, its face was shattered, it could no longer keep time correctly, and its hands were permanently stuck at the 12 o¡¯clock mark. But. It was still ticking. Chapter 78 - 78 76 Blood Fire ?78: Chapter 76: Blood Fire 78: Chapter 76: Blood Fire ¡°Click.¡± ¡°Click.¡± The entire world was reduced to that sound. All the colors also gradually faded... These colors were actually reflections of Zhou Yexin¡¯s inner world of emotions, and their fading signified that the dream owner¡¯s subjective consciousness had dissipated. This journey back into the dream of the broken pocket watch, any useful information probably ends here. Gu Shen could finally move his ¡°body¡± freely. He looked at his hands, and his palms were overflowing with blazing flames. It was Fiery Fire Power that allowed him to immerse himself in this dream. ¡°So... I¡¯m a little flame right now?¡± Gu Shen scratched his head. He looked towards the burnt-down villa and murmured softly, ¡°I only intended to investigate the background of the ¡®pocket watch,¡¯ but I didn¡¯t expect to see such a terrible dream...¡± The blood-red fire that exploded the villa was definitely a catastrophe caused by Extraordinary Ability... and one of a very high order at that. Red flames that burn everything. Although both involved fire, this was different from his own Fiery Fire... This was an erosive fire with intense offence towards physical matter. His own flames were more like a Spiritual Fire. After staring at the blood-colored flames for a moment, he actually felt his own ¡°Fiery Fire¡± trembling slightly. Across the ephemeral dream, the Extraordinary Essence of the Blood Fire seemed to be attracting his own Fiery Fire? ¡°Rabbit doll... father... pocket watch...¡± Gu Shen began to connect the useful clues from the dream, The events within the dream may not necessarily be real. Perhaps in reality, Zhou Yexin never bought a rabbit doll, but the metaphors behind these objects were indeed a true reflection in the dream, which required the dream-enterer to explore on his own. ¡°Why does ¡®Dad¡¯ not have a face?¡± Gu Shen could not comprehend why the most important character in the dream lacked a visible face. ¡°Is it because, in the fire, he was stripped of everything... All traces of his living existence were erased.¡± Gu Shen looked at the villa with some trepidation¡ªwhere fragmented Blood Fire still roamed, ¡°The father fulfilled the daughter¡¯s wish by repairing the damaged doll. Was this accomplished using the ¡®pocket watch¡¯? Was he also a Transcendent?¡± After observing this dream, Gu Shen no longer considered the pocket watch a sealing item unworthy of attention. Having withstood such a fearsome surge of fire. The pocket watch was not destroyed... And in a certain sense, it revived the rabbit doll. Judging from the reality reflected in the dream, did the pocket watch, when intact, possess the ability to reverse time? But now, the severely damaged pocket watch, its hands frozen, no longer ticked. What remained was only a faint trace of Extraordinary Power, probably only enough for the assistance of ¡°Mental Hypnosis,¡± allowing ordinary people to fall asleep swiftly. Gu Shen turned his head and looked at the fading girl in porcelain white within the dream. The dream was nearing its end. ¡°Has she always been so persistent in seeking the truth behind the fire that year...¡± Gu Shen¡¯s gaze grew complicated. Sister Xiao Xin, like himself, was an ordinary person who had experienced an Extraordinary event. Except she wasn¡¯t as lucky as him; that Extraordinary event transpired with the departure of the most important loved one in her life. It was time to look back on Zhou Yexin¡¯s file once more. Gu Shen suddenly felt a twinge of sorrow. He finally understood why a girl, at the mere age of eighteen, could travel alone to Central Continent, persisting year after year under the incomprehension of everyone... The fire erased everything, and if she too stopped insisting on seeking the truth, then the man from the dream may indeed have truly died. ¡°This pocket watch contains a trace of Extraordinary Power, related to dreams,¡± murmured Gu Shen. ¡°It¡¯s the only thing her father left behind... and the sole clue to that blood-red fire...¡± The lights surrounding him began to dim. The scene gradually returned to reality. In the final moments of the dream, Gu Shen erased the memories related to his Fiery Fire power and imparted some suggestions to ensure that Zhou Yexin, upon awakening, wouldn¡¯t feel anything amiss, allowing her life to return to its normal trajectory. He sat at the table, waking from this dream, and his spiritual power depleted by the Truth Ruler, had recovered quite a bit, enough for him to finally move around somewhat normally. He tidied up the partition, then slowly left, pretending he¡¯d never been here. And then he knocked on the door. It took a moment before a response came. ¡°...Come in.¡± Sister Xiao Xin held her forehead, her thoughts somewhat muddled. The knock woke her up. The first thing she did upon awakening was to check that the pocket watch inside her clothes was still there, a habit she¡¯d developed over a decade. The watch was there, so she breathed a sigh of relief, trying hard to think, but her mind was still blank, so she murmured helplessly, ¡°Xiao Gu... Have I... slept for a long time?¡± ¡°You probably didn¡¯t sleep well last night; you said you wanted to rest a bit this afternoon,¡± Gu Shen said softly, ¡°There wasn¡¯t much going on this afternoon, so I didn¡¯t disturb you.¡± Zhou Yexin gave a wry smile and said, ¡°Is that so...¡± She suddenly remembered the commendation banners and those with insomnia, the things that should have surprised or amazed her, yet for some reason, when they resurfaced in her mind, all that remained was indifference. This was the talented young man highly recommended by Mr. Tang Qingquan; it was only fitting that he accomplished these things. ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu, thank you for your hard work,¡± Zhou Yexin said with a sense of guilt, ¡°Actually, I wanted to talk to you. I don¡¯t quite understand why Mr. Tang arranged for you to intern here... You¡¯re still so young, you might be better suited elsewhere; in East Continent, there are many top-tier schools.¡± Gu Shen was taken aback. The suggestions he had imposed on Sister Xiao Xin were quite gentle, basically just to make her think that curing the group insomnia today was a reasonable event. But he hadn¡¯t expected that after the hypnosis ended, Sister Xiao Xin would say this to him. ¡°Mr. Tang has sponsored me for many years... With your talents and abilities, if you ask, he will certainly help you,¡± Zhou Yexin said earnestly, ¡°Maybe you should contact him.¡± ¡°...Thank you,¡± Gu Shen replied with a smile after a moment¡¯s pause, quickly adding, ¡°That¡¯s a great suggestion, I will contact him during this period.¡± Tang Qingquan... had been sponsoring Zhou Yexin for many years? This Grand Judge of the Yinghai District was indeed no ordinary figure. If the sponsorship started when Zhou Yexin went to study far away in Central Continent, there was reason to guess that Tang Qingquan knew about that bloody fire disaster. Stepping into her dream personally, he had felt the girl¡¯s pain, despair, regret, and breakdown. Those who enter dreams are players in the drama. After emerging from the dream, Gu Shen decided to help investigate to the extent he could. ¡°If she¡¯s alone, no matter how long she persists on this path, she may never see results...¡± Gu Shen murmured to himself, ¡°This case is too old, and the investigation will be a lengthy one. I may not be able to uncover the ultimate truth, but no matter the outcome, consider it lending her a hand.¡± Moreover, this investigation would benefit him as well. In the dream, as he looked upon the Blood Fire, he too felt a response in his heart. A feeling began to stir within Gu Shen. Perhaps... by consuming that blood-red flame, his own Fiery Fire power, would see a significant increase? Chapter 79 - 79 77 River Bank ?79: Chapter 77 River Bank 79: Chapter 77 River Bank This day... finally ended. Gu Shen left the Truth Ruler, stood on the street corner, and took a deep breath of the cold air, bracing himself. The side effects of the Truth Ruler were almost entirely digested by him, but he still felt a bit lightheaded and unsteady as he walked. In Jiangnan Da Du, November brought a chill after sunset. He gathered his coat around him, too much had happened that day, the group insomnia, the Changjiu Foundation attack, the pocket watch dream... A series of events followed one after another, leaving little room to catch one¡¯s breath. Fortunately, all of that was over now. The evening breeze blew, music from a nearby coffee shop drifted over, passersby walked along Lipu Street, couples laughed hand in hand, children chased and played, and the white noise of the bustling crowd relaxed Gu Shen¡¯s spirit, no longer so tense. ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu.¡± Under another streetlamp, a petite and adorable girl was waving. Qu Shui wore a fluffy knitted hat, a cartoon character camel-colored knitted sweater on her upper body, paired with a pleated skirt and knee-high pink scrunch socks, looking youthful and exuberant. ¡°Sorry for the wait,¡± Gu Shen felt somewhat apologetic for making her wait so long. Moving closer, Gu Shen noticed that Qu Shui had put on makeup, her cheeks were rosy, no longer showing the paleness and haggardness from before, her face was full of vitality, smiling brightly under the streetlamp. ¡°Not at all, I¡¯ve just arrived.¡± The girl cupped her hands and breathed warmth into them, saying, ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu, work must be tough, right? It¡¯s getting late, let me treat you to dinner!¡± Gu Shen hesitated for a moment. He was here to investigate a case. But since she had waited for so long, and had invited him repeatedly... it would be quite impolite to refuse. ¡°How about I treat you instead?¡± Gu Shen thought it over and said, ¡°Let¡¯s just grab something to eat nearby, and then we can head to the river bank afterward.¡± ... ... For Gu Shen, eating was something that could be disregarded when not necessary. In fact, children like him who came from remote villages were all like that, to them missing a meal here or there was nothing; what was scarier than missing a couple of meals was not being able to see a future where they could have enough to eat. In the first couple of years after Gu Shen had become independent from the orphanage, eating steamed buns with pickles was routine, and occasionally he would ¡°whistle down the wind¡± to improve the flavor. Da Du was a building even more glamorous than Qing River, with infinitely dazzling views from the top, but it was also a pyramid more merciless than Qing River, lifted layer by layer by nameless people with their bodies, with countless ¡°ordinary people¡± lying unseen at the base of Da Du. Even though his card now had a balance sufficient for extravagance, Gu Shen still lived according to his original habits. In the neon-lit nights of Da Du, one would always see a young man running alone through alleyways, braving the cool evening breeze, munching on hot sweet potatoes or steaming pancakes from a street vendor. For such a young man, the past seventeen years of life had taught him perseverance, frugality, self-discipline... and many other virtues like these. But correspondingly, life had not yet taught him ¡°romance.¡± ¡°Here... freshly baked, for you.¡± Qu Shui looked at Gu Shen with a strange expression as they just walked out of a secluded alley on Lipu Street. Gu Shen held two bags of sweet potatoes, offering one to her, but Qu Shui didn¡¯t accept it. His face showed some confusion, ¡°Don¡¯t you eat it? It¡¯s really tasty.¡± ¡°I¡¯d like... something more formal, can we?¡± Qu Shui thought for a moment and said tactfully, ¡°There¡¯s a decent restaurant near the river bank, and if you don¡¯t have the money, I can pick up the tab.¡± ¡°Formal...¡± Gu Shen realized belatedly. He suddenly became aware that serving sweet potatoes to his friends might be classified as ¡°stingy¡± in the science of social interaction... although that certainly wasn¡¯t his intention. After spending two years in Qing River and consuming a large number of sweet potatoes, Gu Shen was deeply impressed by the grilled sweet potatoes at a stand on Lipu Street in Da Du; it might have been the first time Da Du truly shined in his heart. The first time Gu Shen tasted the sweet potatoes from this stand, he even thought to himself, ¡°It¡¯s really something, Da Du. Even their sweet potatoes taste better than those in other cities.¡± ... ... 20 minutes later. Gu Shen arrived at a revolving restaurant, a private booth with soft lighting, soothing music, and a tranquil atmosphere. He adjusted his sitting position, but it felt awkward no matter how he sat. This restaurant was located along the river bank, occupying the entire twenty-ninth floor, where diners could overlook the nighttime scenery of the river bank, with cruise ships and lights, and on holidays or with good luck, they could even witness a grand and magnificent fireworks show. ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu, is this your first time at this kind of restaurant?¡± After taking her seat at the dining table, Qu Shui relaxed, not at all like a sixteen-year-old girl, and showed none of the shyness she had before. Gu Shen thought for a moment. By ¡°this kind of restaurant,¡± Qu Shui probably referred to the price of dining... He had glanced at the menu earlier, and eating here would cost about two thousand per person? The day before the audit started, that old fellow took him for a wild ride in his luxury car, dining at the top restaurants of Da Teng City, and Gu Shen, who tagged along for free meals and drinks, didn¡¯t forget to sneak a peek at the menu each time, with prices similar to this place. Thank you, Mr. Shu. For taking him out ¡°to see the world¡± in advance, so he wasn¡¯t overly shocked now, and could even muster the confidence to reply. ¡°I¡¯ve been here before, but I don¡¯t dine out often.¡± Qu Shui smiled secretly. ¡°I¡¯ve cut the steak for you... Here, for you.¡± Watching her skillful use of the knife, Gu Shen was now certain that Qu Shui, the young lady, came from a wealthy family, which made sense... Seeing a psychologist at Dream wasn¡¯t cheap, eight hundred an hour, and a sixteen-year-old girl who could come several times a week must have quite an allowance. ¡°Thank you.¡± Gu Shen asked curiously, ¡°You must still be in school, right... Aren¡¯t your parents worried about you being out so late?¡± Qu Shui lowered her head slightly, her eyes flickering before she laughed softly, ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu should know... I¡¯ve been receiving treatment recently... so I¡¯ve taken leave from school.¡± Gu Shen noticed that Qu Shui subconsciously tucked her hand back into her sleeve while speaking. He had seen it before... the girl¡¯s wrist bore more than one scar. Self-harm due to a breakup. It was hard to imagine that this seemingly delicate and frail girl would do something so extreme. ¡°Don¡¯t harm your body anymore,¡± Gu Shen said softly. ¡°Your parents would be saddened.¡± ¡°Thank you for your kindness...¡± Qu Shui whispered, ¡°I live alone now, my parents... are no longer with us.¡± Parents... gone? Gu Shen was taken aback at first, then he understood what ¡®gone¡¯ meant... He fell silent. Upon hearing this, Gu Shen felt as if a chord in his heart had been struck, but since he was never good at comforting others, all he could say gently was, ¡°Then you have to take care of yourself even more. I¡¯ll go pay the bill... let¡¯s head back early after we¡¯re done by the river bank, and I¡¯ll see you to your doorstep.¡± Chapter 80 - 80 78 Confession ?80: Chapter 78: Confession 80: Chapter 78: Confession After 10 p.m., along the river bank, it was the liveliest spot in Da Du. Young men and women clustered here... Under the influence of heavy metal music and alcohol, hormones wildly proliferated; here, you could shed all the day¡¯s burdens, heed the most primal commands of your soul, and rediscover the wildness and desire in your blood. Continuing to stroll along the river bank, the noise that seemed capable of shattering the lengthy night gradually faded. The only sounds swirling around one¡¯s ears were the wind of the late night and the white noise of the waves slapping against the river, causing the entire world to fade from a state of extreme restlessness into a tranquil and dark scroll of a painting. The Da Du District and Yinghai District were just across the river from each other. The other side of the river was dead silent. This side was the City of Eternal Night. ¡°How much longer do we need to walk?¡± Qu Shui led the way, walking along the river bank for a very long time. Gu Shen looked back; the flickering lights had already disappeared into the night, indistinguishable. Darkness surrounded him both ahead and behind. ¡°We¡¯re almost there.¡± Qu Shui, with her hands behind her back, seemed in a good mood, hopping and skipping ahead. She suddenly made a big jump and then stood still, ¡°Hmm... It seems this is the place.¡± Several large bridges were constructed along the river bank, with protective measures added to both sides. However, the pedestrian pathways under the bridges, slip-resistant embankments, were punctuated at intervals with drilled holes, marked with white paint... ¡°1,¡± ¡°2,¡± ¡°3¡±... ¡°Number 97.¡± Qu Shui stared intently at a cave-like hole under the bridge, ¡°This is where I... met him.¡± Gu Shen furrowed his brows. While it was said to be on the river bank, this was essentially in a remote and uninhabited area. Moreover, such cave-like holes hardly caught the attention of ordinary people; probably only homeless persons and stray cats and dogs would spend the night here. However, given the style of the Changjiu Foundation¡¯s followers... living here was not impossible. He had evaded Deep Sea¡¯s investigation for so long, he must have had a special place for sacrificing himself. ¡°Wait here for me for a moment.¡± Having instructed her, Gu Shen entered the cave-like hole alone. The cave was very damp. As soon as he stepped inside, he was hit by a wave of intense foul smell. It was so dark inside that the surroundings were unclear, but there appeared to be piles of garbage and the smell of feces... It seemed indeed that either people or animals had lived here. There was no sound outside the cave. It seemed Qu Shui obediently waited outside. Gu Shen silently ignited the Blazing Fire Sense at his brow. He looked around the cave, softly muttering in his heart, ¡°Profile... Activate!¡± The moment the Blazing Fire was ignited, the world in Gu Shen¡¯s eyes was no longer pitch-black. A bright lamp lit up in his heart, and he scanned the area, clearly seeing the surroundings in the dark. This number 97 cave constructed in a secluded part of the river bank was very narrow, with a circular arched ceiling, and the ground was littered with loose, crumbling dirt and filth. Indeed, a homeless person had lived here; the food waste tossed randomly on the ground was already rotting, appearing partially buried. But as Gu Shen looked up, a spine-chilling feeling immediately exploded from his back. Fresh decay mixed with the moist, stinging air surged into his nostrils. This odor continually emanated from the cave walls about three meters away... On the narrow mud and stone walls, several large iron nails pinned up a dried-up skeleton, the skin had rotted, but the bones remained intact. In the world of profiling, there was silence. The darkness was chased away by Blazing Fire, lighting up the filthy cave as clear as day. Spiritual power pushed time to slowly reverse, the flesh on the skeleton on the wall gradually swelled from dried to plump, the skull no longer hung low, and Gu Shen saw an angled reflection. Back then, ¡°he¡± had not yet died, desperately screaming, venting. Time thus reversed back¡ª until a familiar, petite figure appeared in the view. In the world of profiling, she was just a dark shadow, devoid of features and voice. She slowly turned her head, looking through the reversed time at Gu Shen¡¯s position. In that moment, Gu Shen¡¯s mind was almost blank. Reason spurred thought, sparking intense fireworks in an instant. Thoughts flashed back. In the paused time, Gu Shen felt the profiling of the cave fading, his consciousness as if arriving in a grand hall that stored memories. Above the hall hung a sword blazing with intense light, inverted. Below the tip of the sword, past memories were sorted and categorized like precious collected scrolls, ready to be opened by him, enabling scenes to replay like a movie. The first volume¡¯s scene is set in a bar meeting, where Hu Danian whispered with a grave expression: [¡°This week, in the secluded corners around Lipu Street and the river bank, several dead bodies have been found, all adult males, each killed by a clean and neat blade to the throat.¡±] [¡°At the wound site... traces of Extraordinary Aura were detected.¡±] The second volume features a face-to-face encounter with a Believer from the Changjiu Foundation: [¡°To hell with the new era!¡±] [¡°Long live the Changjiu Foundation!¡±] At the end of this painting, accompanied by a furious shout, the Believer carrying a solemn stone sculpture was blown into fragments... To ensure the assassination, this Believer used high explosives and a Spirit Seal, but never resorted to his own Extraordinary Ability... because, he was not a Transcendent at all. Because the timing of the murders on the river bank coincided exactly with the insomnia incidents, Hu Danian was misled... He focused his investigation on the out-of-control individuals with Extraordinary Aura, but in truth, the assassin carrying the solemn stone sculpture was just an ordinary person. This was a coincidence. No wonder... whenever I linked the river bank murders with the insomnia incident involving the solemn stone sculpture, something felt off. The portraits of these two killers overlapped, not matching in nature. The final flashback scene in the Hall of Memories. It was when I first pushed open the partition door of the clinic and offered some hot tea. Blazing Fire Sense detected an unsettling Extraordinary Aura... I happened to see the pocket watch on Zhou Yexin¡¯s body. Thinking back, I now understand the real reason behind the unease... it wasn¡¯t because of the pocket watch. Based on Zhou Yexin¡¯s Dream, the pocket watch is a benevolent and orderly Seal, and that last faint trace of aura simply adhered to the belief of ¡°burning everything to protect its master.¡± Blazing Fire¡¯s real unease came from... the second person in the room at the time. Qu Shui. The world outlined as bright as day, time retracing back to the origin, the flow finally returned to normal. The rewind button was disconnected, switching to normal playback. A slender girl, dragging a tall man, entered the kiln cave... The man struggled weakly but could only sit propped against the stone wall. The two ¡°snuggled¡± together, speaking at length. Given Gu Shen¡¯s limited spiritual power in the profiled world, besides seeing the rough silhouette representing bodily contours... he could not glean more information, yet from the stiff movements of the silhouette, it was not hard to deduce that the girl was speaking continuously, with the man forced to listen. In the end... Just like a couple deep in honeyed love, the girl leaned in close, finished her last tender words. She pulled out a pair of scissors from her bosom. Cleanly aimed at the throat. One cut. Profile ended, the kiln cave world returned to darkness. Gu Shen silently regarded the hanging skeleton, its wound perfectly matching the victims of the river bank murder case, a sharp weapon injury, a clean and neat cut to the neck. Because it was too remote, it had yet to be discovered. Suddenly, a voice sounded beside his ear. ¡°Dr. Xiao Gu...¡± Gu Shen¡¯s back hairs bristled, not realizing when another person had appeared in the kiln cave. The voice, only twenty centimeters away, almost touching his back as it stood, was both gentle and mournful, like a forsaken kitten, ¡°There¡¯s something... I¡¯ve wanted to tell you since last time...¡± ¡°I like you... from the first moment I saw you... I really liked you...¡± The voice murmured as if in a dream. ¡°Would you... be my boyfriend?¡±