Chapter 1 Gu Shen...Is Dead

"Gu Shen... is dead."

Gu Nanfeng's words were a final pronouncement.

The statement echoed in the conference room, and Li Qingsui slumped back into her chair, dazed.

The other important figures, though equally somber, possessed the mental fortitude and cultivation to maintain their composure, not overtly displaying emotions like "collapse."

The meeting continued with details about the advancement of the "Merger" plan.

Gu Shen was dead, but the Merger would continue.

The Five Continents' landscape was set, and the cooperation between Nagano and Central City was essential.

Li Qingsui, however, barely registered those words. She remained seated, waiting... and waiting, until the meeting concluded, and everyone else had left the room, leaving her alone.

"Qingsui."

Gao Tian, impeccably dressed in a suit, patiently stayed by the young miss's side, his own heart heavy. Gu Shen's death was a bombshell for East洲(洲 is continent), and no one could accept it...

"Uncle Gao..."

Li Qingsui slowly raised her head, muttering, "Gu Shen, is he really dead?"

...

...

Gu Nanfeng pushed the wheelchair. Since the battle at the mausoleum, old ailments had been resurfacing in Elder Gu's body.

This old man, who had participated in the Scarlet War, had been incredibly fierce and powerful in his youth.

But now he was old.

What time gave, it would eventually take back twofold.

"I always thought... I'd never have to use something like a wheelchair in my life."

They walked through the ancient street, Gu Qilin observing the bustling crowds. Beside them flowed the Ning River, winding through Snow禁城(雪禁城, Xuě jìn chéng, lit. Snow Forbidden City), the river reflecting the vibrant and bustling ancient city. It was autumn again, and a desolate atmosphere permeated the ancient city.

Elder Gu chuckled self-deprecatingly, "What a foolish thought... Back then, I thought I'd never grow old."

Gu Nanfeng lowered his eyes in thought for a moment, offering comfort, "Birth, aging, illness, and death... everyone is the same in this regard, even God-Seated ones are no exception... Besides, the last member of the Gu family to use a wheelchair like this was Gu Lushen."

Gu Lushen was much younger than the elder.

"Is that so?"

The words offered little comfort.

Gu Qilin turned his head slightly, looking at Gu Nanfeng, and said softly, "But you've reminded me that everyone will die..."

At this, the elder's voice became hoarse, and his eyes dimmed.

Clearly, he was thinking of the young man who had disappeared into the icy sea.

The elder took out the wooden seal from his robe, his withered fingers gently stroking it.

The white-haired mourning the black-haired. (Elderly mourning the young).

It was one of the greatest sorrows in the world.

Gu Qilin suddenly asked, "When did Gu Shen leave his 'Blood' in the Gu Clan's ancestral hall?"

"Two years ago? Or perhaps a year ago?"

Gu Nanfeng narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, then replied in an even tone, "I handled that matter... It's normal that you don't remember. After all, when he first entered Nagano, he hadn't received nearly as much attention as he has now."

"... Hmm."

Gu Qilin's gaze remained fixed on the wooden seal.

Gu Nanfeng had begun to take over the entire Gu Clan two years ago, and he no longer intervened in most of the affairs, large and small.

In fact, his true "aging" wasn't reflected in his physical body or combat strength.

It was that he was old.

His mind had inexplicably begun to tire.

As early as twenty years ago, when Gu Changzhi achieved God-Seated Douzhan (斗战, Dòuzhàn, lit. Fighting and War), Gu Qilin had realized that he was "old."

Specifically, he could no longer make decisions about the Gu family's affairs as decisively as he had in his youth... Later, during the conflict between the old and new factions, he stubbornly fought against Gu Lushen for eight years, all just to wait for Gu Nanfeng to mature.

"Gu Shen was a good child."

The elder smiled softly, "He could have shined even brighter, letting more people remember him."

Gu Nanfeng took a deep breath.

He had many things he wanted to say.

But in the end...

He simply looked up at the fallen leaves drifting on the Ning River and uttered two words.

"Indeed."

...

...

"What?!"

"What did you say!"

In the highest echelons of the Flower Banner, Lu Nanzhi slammed her hand on the table and stood up in anger. This was the first time in her years as a councilor that she had lost control of her emotions.

On the other side of the virtual projection, Chen San, the councilor from Nanwan, looked conflicted.

He could understand Lu Nanzhi's anger.

The Mulberry洲(桑洲, Sāng zhōu) Cave mission had been under the jurisdiction of the Capital's logistics support... The True Heart Society had sent news that the Northern Continent's Origin Energy Vessel would be landing in the Capital District tonight, bringing back the local Transcendents rescued from the Southern Cave. This was supposed to be an uplifting victory, but no one was happy because the greatest contributor to the mission was confirmed to be "dead."

"The news came from Nagano. The spirit of Gu Shen's 'Blood Memorial' has dissipated."

Chen San said in a low voice, "I know you're angry, but the Merger plan is the most important thing right now..."

"There's no need to continue. I know the Merger is important."

Lu Nanzhi took a deep breath, coldly replied, and then hung up.

The Red Gate activated—

Even without the Key, the Red Gate could still summon the members of the Ancient Text Society. However, she did not possess Gu Shen's privileges and could not forcibly conscript them, but could only issue a meeting request.

In the current Ancient Text Society conference room, 031 had completely disappeared.

The only people she could trust were 064 and 073.

"Quick... quick, come online."

Lu Nanzhi initiated the connection request in the cold conference room.

Unfortunately, at this crucial moment, neither 064 nor 073 responded, presumably because they were busy in the real world.

She waited a long time in the deepest, most hidden space, but 064 and 073 never arrived.

But just as Lu Nanzhi was about to leave,

Countless seawater formed in the conference room, and a faint, ethereal, slender figure appeared out of thin air without opening the door. The only ones capable of such a feat... besides the Key, was only one other identity.

"Hello, Lu Nanzhi, or perhaps I should call you... Madam."

The ethereal figure sat in the seat that Gu Shen often occupied, her long hair slowly cascading down, countless streams of information radiating with fluorescence, like a cloak, enveloping the entire conference room.

"Perhaps you still remember me, perhaps you have forgotten..."

The ethereal figure was shrouded in a mess of code, not fully revealing her body, but she clasped her hands together, her slender fingers interlaced, and said with a deep gaze, "Please allow me to reintroduce myself. I am the Source Code left behind by Turing, and also the new Tomb Keeper of Nagano's Pure Mound."

Lu Nanzhi was stunned for a moment, then immediately spoke the ethereal figure's name: "... Chu Ling."

"It seems you still remember me."

Chu Ling chuckled softly.

"You're quite famous, and Gu Shen often mentioned you before..."

Lu Nanzhi realized that she had mentioned that familiar name, and her tone darkened.

The conference room fell silent for a few seconds.

"I'm looking for you this time because I have something to ask."

Chu Ling shook her head, then raised her head and said seriously, "This matter... is very, very important."

...

...

The news of Gu Shen's death spread rapidly throughout the Five Continents.

Compared to that, the joint action of the World Assembly in the Mulberry Cave seemed insignificant, and hardly anyone cared about it.

Chen Mo, Chen Li, and Bai Xiu immediately returned to their respective factions after the mission.

Chen Mo found his father, Chen San, Chen Li found Mr. Shan, and Bai Xiu went to the Bai Clan's family head.

The actions of these three people were for one thing only... to persuade more powerful "Sealed Titles" to go to the Icy Sea, restart the journey, and search for Gu Shen's whereabouts. They were not giving up.

Lu Zhe saw the fragments of Blazing Fire in the volcanic crater.

The spirit of the Gu Clan's Blood Memorial had been extinguished.

These were all considered evidence of "death," but no one believed that Gu Shen would die so easily. And besides them, many others were taking action.

For example, "064" and "073," whom Lu Nanzhi had failed to summon earlier using the Red Gate.

Honglong and Lin Lin both found the news of Gu Shen's death unacceptable. Because before Gu Shen's "fall," they had just contacted him and confirmed his condition. The Ancient Text Society was about to reignite, and countless embers were waiting in the darkness for the Key to step forward. He was the hope chosen by Mr. Turing!

Such an existence!

How could it be, how could he just die like that?

When this news broke, Honglong Envoy was suddenly swamped with work. On one hand, he had to deal with the aftermath of Zhuque's affairs, and on the other hand, he had to find a way to block the news from Gu Xiaoman.

The little girl was currently in an important stage of mental cultivation.

This news was too heavy...

Once she found out, who knew what kind of trouble she would cause? Before gaining Gu Xiaoman's trust, Honglong didn't have the confidence to explain "Gu Shen's death" to her!

So, after safely delivering Gu Xiaoman to the Origin Tower and arranging various trivial matters, Honglong immediately set off for Master Tianshui's residence...

On the other side, Lin Lin also took action.

He directly drove an Origin Energy Vessel across Fort Gu, arriving at Central City. This was a "miraculous" feat.

It should be noted that in the past decade, Duke Zhuxue had sent people to invite Lin Lin back to Central City more than once, but all had ended in failure... One reason was that Lin Lin wanted to escape the marriage alliance with the Meng Clan, and another important reason was that Lin Lin genuinely liked staying in this vital fortress on the Northern Continent's border!

Lin Lin sped all the way, driving the Origin Energy Vessel directly to the Empress's Manor, receiving "stop" signals more than once along the way, but he ignored them all.

Even the deputy sent by Zhuxue, driving a miniature vessel to negotiate, was ignored by him!

Arriving at the Manor,

The resistance disappeared instead. Obviously, Central City knew the reason for his arrival.

Finally, Lin Lin stood before the Pavilion, the first-floor staircase surrounded by Dragon湮(湮, yān, submerge) flames. The female legion commander, draped in a flame cloak, looked conflicted and personally blocked Lin Lin.

"I understand your feelings..."

Zi Yu stood before the Pavilion, saying helplessly, "But without Her Majesty's permission, you must not ascend the stairs without authorization."

"Aunt Wen, only today, you must not stop me."

Lin Lin's voice was stern.

He raised his head, looked at the second floor of the Pavilion, and slowly said, "I have the right to know the truth about the Mulberry Cave mission."

Everything that happened in Central City was within the Empress's field of vision.

Lin Lin knew that from the moment he set foot here, his every move was being watched by his sister.

If she didn't want to give him an answer,

Then he would never know the answer.

And now was the time for him to state his position!

Lin Lin walked into the Dragon湮 fire sea, while simultaneously removing all his mental power and Origin Substance. He didn't want to fight Aunt Wen... This scene made Zi Yu extremely troubled. She hurriedly raised her arms, wanting to block him further, but Lin Lin had no intention of backing down.

The Dragon湮 flames scorched his skin.

The figure slowly walking through the fire sea made Zi Yu feel dazed. She had watched both Lin Chou and Lin Lin grow up and knew their personalities well. Lin Chou was gentle and good at socializing, so he stayed in Central City and became the Duke Zhuxue, who ruled with power, while Lin Lin was aloof and extremely stubborn, so he went to Fort Gu to guard the vital fortress.

Lin Lin was a stubborn boy. Once he had made up his mind, he never regretted it.

Even if he crashed into a wall and broke his head, he wouldn't utter a word of pain.

So... if he truly wanted to ascend the stairs, her Dragon湮 fire sea couldn't stop him.

"Sizzle—"

Lin Lin walked into the fire sea, and under the scorching heat, his walking speed remained slow and steady.

Zi Yu wanted to withdraw the fire.

But the mission to be loyal to the imperial power pushed her forward.

"Your Majesty!"

This was the first time Zi Yu had called out to the Empress outside the Pavilion, which was actually a dereliction of duty.

But she was really flustered.

Having guarded the Pavilion for many years, this was the most difficult thing she had encountered. Now she didn't know what to do.

But this call received no response from the second floor of the Pavilion.

Lin Lin smiled.

Clatter!

He stepped onto the first step.

At the same time, a faint laughter echoed in the fire sea.

"Sister, from the moment I took over the '073' identity, you began to lay out your plans, didn't you?"

"I know I'm a pawn."

"And I'm willing to be a pawn."

"Actually, I just didn't want to ask too much, but that doesn't mean I don't know anything. I know that my meeting with Gu Shen, the storm in Fort Gu, the restart mission in the Dolu River, the return of the Traveler's Fire... everything that happened in the Northern Continent was under your control, all part of your plan."

Clatter... Lin Lin stepped onto the second step.

"I know it wasn't a coincidence that Ah Liu'er invited Gu Shen to the Northern Continent, and it wasn't accidental that my marriage contract with the Meng Clan was broken."

"I know that the Fire power you possess can grasp the only correct 'answer' in countless gaps of fate."

"I want to know, since you know so much, control so much... how could you let Gu Shen die in the Mulberry Cave?"

Lin Lin raised his foot, wanting to step onto the third step. At this moment, Zi Yu had given up on using the Dragon湮 fire sea to restrain and harm this child she had watched grow up. But at the same time that Zi Yu had the thought of giving up, countless wind and snow condensed on the steps. It was the "Great Cold" condensed from the depths of the Northern Continent, and a symbol of imperial power. The moment this bone-chilling cold appeared, it froze the Dragon湮 fire sea.

And it also froze Lin Lin.

Lin Lin, who had rushed back from Fort Gu in a dusty state, had no fear, no hesitation.

He took a deep breath: "So I must see you today and ask these things clearly."

"No matter what the cost... it doesn't matter."

He stepped onto the ice cone that had condensed on the third step.

Crack!

The ice cone pierced through his boot, and the blood was also frozen, the blue frost extending up his calf.

Lin Lin raised his head.

A figure that had not appeared before the world for a long time appeared on the second floor of the Pavilion.

The figure was draped in a snow-white cloak, exuding waves of coldness, looking down at the rebellious young man on the steps. There was no warmth of a brother in his eyes, only cold indifference.

"... Your Majesty?"

Zi Yu was stunned. For so many years, Her Majesty had been in seclusion in the Pavilion, because she needed to resist the frost absorbed by the Furnace and support Central City, so she had never left. Everything was done by dispatching apostles, or dispatching Divine Realm illusions.

This was the first time she had made a true appearance.

"Just to clarify this matter..."

The Empress looked at her foolish and stubborn brother, and asked expressionlessly, "Are you really willing to pay any price?"