CHAPTER 1037: CHAPTER 7: SHADOW OF THE DUSK’S HOLY JUDGEMENT

"You... noticed?"

Gu Shen was startled.

The matter of his breakthrough into the Third Realm had not yet been announced to the outside world.

"No, I didn’t notice."

Bai Xiu chuckled softly, "The concealment of your Spirit Sea is so good that even my peak fourth-level spirit can’t detect its depth... But precisely because of that, I’ve noticed. To be accurate, I guessed it. Actually, before your trip to the North Continent, I’d already speculated that you’d attempt the ’Third Transcendence’."

"..."

Gu Shen was speechless, unsure of what to say.

"How did you guess beforehand?" he rubbed his temples, asking with a bitter smile, "Some things, even before they happened... I couldn’t predict myself. Such as the Third Transcendence."

"Premonition, intuition."

Bai Xiu said, "Due to my rapid ascent, I stayed at the third level only briefly, leaving a regret... "

Gu Shen raised an eyebrow, "Super Third Realm?"

Bai Xiu nodded, "Super Third Realm."

"This matter is really challenging: talent, accumulation, providence, opportunity. Even having all of them might not necessarily lead to a breakthrough."

Bai Xiu said softly, "At that time, the Bai Family needed someone historically fast in ’promotion,’ and they wouldn’t allow me to remain at the third level, chasing the elusive Third Transcendence. So... it became a regret."

"And on the day I met you, I wondered if you’d also be left with that regret?"

Bai Xiu looked up, smiling, "Congratulations on fulfilling the regret I couldn’t at the third level... I’m sincerely happy for you."

"Thank you."

After hearing this, Gu Shen’s gaze toward Bai Xiu became complex.

Little Xiuzi, though normally indifferent and reserved, was extremely wise, skilled both at seeing through others and hiding himself.

Those unfamiliar with him only know him as the new "Changye Invincible," unbeatable at his level.

But those who truly understand him find him transcendent, untouched by earthly dust.

Yet if one truly touches Bai Xiu’s heart, they will find—

Buried in the deepest part of his heart is a strand of burning fire.

The task entrusted to him by the Bai Family is to become the flame holding Qingzhong Cemetery, to become the future "Divine Throne," although Bai Xiu has consistently tried to escape family destiny... deep down, he believes the same.

He’s walking a path towards the highest.

He himself wants to become one of the future Seven Gods!

If moving forward to become a Divine Throne, the cultivation path underfoot becomes a thousand, ten thousand times more difficult than other geniuses—

Every step must be perfect!

Every realm must be complete!

"Actually..." Bai Xiu said softly, "I’ve come on this trip to see you, just to validate this guess."

No wonder he had to come in person; it turns out this was the plan.

Gu Shen sighed deeply, chuckling bitterly, "I feel it might have been better not to meet."

"Rest assured, I will keep this confidential," Bai Xiu blinked earnestly, "The journey is long and difficult, I’m just fortunate to have taken the lead and will wait for you at the higher place."

Having met Gu Shen and confirmed Gu Shen’s Super Third Realm, Bai Xiu showed a smile.

Almost reaching the rumor of the "Third Transcendent," he seemed happier than having achieved the breakthrough himself.

The two met on the mountain path, but didn’t walk together for even a few steps before parting on the road.

As Gu Shen watched Bai Xiu’s distant figure, his expression was indescribable.

Waiting at a higher place.

On hearing this sentence, Gu Shen realized why Bai Xiu was so happy.

Because deep in Little Xiuzi’s heart, the only truly worthy opponent is likely himself.

Thus the more transcendent he becomes, the more extraordinary... Bai Xiu feels more excited for the culminating showdown.

...

...

Da Du.

Huazhi Building, top floor.

Lu Nanzhi sat in front of the large floor-to-ceiling window, tea mist swirling on the desk, she looked at the knife-bearing woman before her, both silent and speechless, the stillness lasting for a dozen minutes.

At this moment, the communication rang.

"Madam... the private jet transferred to Changye has already picked up Gu Shen and Miss Chu."

Cui Zhongcheng said on the communicator, "Estimated arrival time is eight o’clock tonight; at that time, you have a meeting at South Bay... The meeting content is regarding the upcoming ecological project promotion in Dadu District, the Green Act."

"I’ve already settled that act with Chen San, it’s just a formality." Lu Nanzhi glanced at the time, "Attend the meeting for me tonight."

"Isn’t that inappropriate?" Cui Zhongcheng paused for a second, "I’m still in Yinghai."

"Yinghai is close enough, don’t stand on ceremony with me... I’ve calculated and you’ll make it."

Lu Nanzhi hastily hung up the communication.

After tidying her appearance, she looked at her sister sitting before her, asking helplessly, "If you wish to sit in stillness, I am happy to accompany you, but how long do you want to sit? Just say it, what did you come to me for."

"I want to visit Central Continent."

Lu Nanjin said calmly, "Source Tower."

"Are you crazy?"

Even with the madam’s excellent demeanor, she was startled by this sentence.

Taking a deep breath, she asked angrily, "There are so many places in Five Continents to go, why choose the most dangerous one?"

During Nanjin’s seclusion for cultivation at Fenglai Temple in Changye, it was the most reassuring and peaceful year for her.

Madam actually knew that this day was bound to come sooner or later.

"..."

Facing the questioning, Nanjin lowered her brows and remained silent, saying nothing.

She knew long ago, once proposing this idea, her sister would certainly react this way.

After returning to Da Du last time and experiencing the Qin Ye Tie Wu battle... the sisters’ years of misunderstanding finally cleared, and the broken relationship was mended.

Parting from life and death, broken mirror reunion.

She promised Lu Nanzhi that if she ever wished to wield the knife again, to pursue the mastermind behind the old Lion Alley case... she’d definitely inform her sister.

A promise worth its weight in gold.

She wanted to set off, so she came.

The scene returned to a silence where even a pin dropping could be heard.

"What do you want to do by going to the Source Tower?" Lu Nanzhi had no choice but to speak again, "Even if you really want to do something, at least wait until after you receive your title... It’s too early now."

"It’s nothing."

Nan Jin hugged the wooden sword, mumbling in confusion, "I just... want to go and see."

"See?" Lu Nanzhi was stunned.

"I don’t know why... these days, I keep dreaming of my father, dreaming of the scene where he fell in front of Lion Alley." Lu Nanjin’s voice was hoarse, lacking the stubbornness and sharpness Lu Nanzhi expected, instead revealing a softness that invoked a bit of pity: "I dreamt... after a heavy rain, Old Lu fell, and that man turned and disappeared into the rainy night. At the end of the dream, a misty tower reaching the clouds appeared."

"So... I want to take a look."

Lu Nanjin raised her head and asked, "I know I can’t do anything, but can’t I at least take a look?"

Lu Nanzhi fell silent.

After a long time.

She dialed Cui Zhongcheng’s communicator again and straightforwardly asked, "When is the negotiation with Central Continent’s ’Red Wine Group’?"

Cui Zhongcheng was slightly stunned and said, "Liu Yi will leave with the negotiation team tomorrow."

"Add one more person to our negotiation team."

The lady sighed and, halfway through her sentence, looked at Nan Jin: "There’s someone who wants to take a look at the Source Tower, she won’t affect the negotiation... right?"

The latter, hugging her sword, sat obediently and nodded seriously like a chick pecking at rice.

"...Understood." Cui Zhongcheng had already guessed what was happening here and said with a headache, "The negotiation team’s travel will receive a lot of attention, I suggest Miss Nan Jin travel anonymously."

"No problem." Lu Nanjin felt a weight in her heart ease.

"Also... I’d like to visit Little Arid Hill before eight o’clock." The lady put on a thin coat and asked confusedly, "Has Ying Ji taken leave these days? Why hasn’t he been seen?"

"About Song Ci, I’m not too sure, he’s always elusive."

Cui Zhongcheng frowned and said, "However... usually he responds to any of your travel needs the fastest. Moreover, now that Miss Nan Jin is back..."

"Forget it, there’s no need to deliberately call him."

Lu Nanzhi mumbled, "It’s always like this, it’s bound to be tiring... Maybe Ying Ji is resting."

...

...

Dusk, slanted sunlight.

At the end of the alley.

In the old city district of Dadu, a flock of crows perched on a utility pole took flight, stirring up a black cloud.

A young man in flip-flops, hands in pockets, looked up at the sky, walking aimlessly in this rundown district that’s "unmonitored," turning a corner, walking straight, turning another corner, into a dead-end alley.

"It’s about time..."

Song Ci stopped walking and turned around.

He gazed calmly ahead, and after he stopped, seven or eight figures draped in rough hemp robes slowly emerged from the corner of the alley. Upon seeing Song Ci, they all remained silent.

"Ladies and gentlemen, are you so bored that you want to find someone to spar with, to have a fight, and then lie in the hospital?"

Song Ci leaned against the wall, expressionless, "You’ve been following me all these days, mysterious and sneaky... finally willing to show yourselves."

These figures in hemp robes did not speak, only remained silent.

They seemed like shadows cast by the dusk, the remaining glow of the setting sun.

What unsettled Song Ci the most was...

He felt no "anger" towards these people deep down.

Ordinarily, he would have thrown a punch long ago... Yet when facing these silent followers, he couldn’t muster any anger. The thought of throwing a punch would inexplicably dissipate.

"Spit it out if you have something to say." Song Ci said irritably, "Keep following me, and I won’t be polite. By then, I’ll send you underground to meet the Netherworld King!"

"Lord Ying Ji..."

From among the figures in hemp robes, a leader slowly stepped forward, his voice husky, deep, and magnetic, "You won’t attack us, will you?"

"Who the hell do you think you are... to call me Ying Ji?"

Song Ci squinted his eyes and spoke coldly.

As soon as he said this, he felt his breathing subtly becoming difficult.

He was taken aback and lowered his head.

The words spoken by this shadow seemed to be connected to his heartbeat... the anger that arose seemed to be enveloped by countless soft lights.

Had the anger disappeared?

Song Ci was startled. What a terrifying thing this was, that this guy’s words could affect his emotions!

Soon, a second figure stepped out from the crowd.

"Lord Ying Ji."

He also spoke softly, advising with a kindly demeanor, "With us... the Netherworld King is an ominous term, it’s best if you try to mention it less in the future."

An even more terrifying thing happened—

"Mind your own damn business?!"

Such a curse appeared only in Song Ci’s mind, he couldn’t even say it aloud.

The afterglow enveloped.

Song Ci silently clenched his fist.

He looked at the dispersed black-robed figures before him and hoarsely asked, "Who... are you?"

The reply was not loud, yet it gathered into a wave within the sound of the wind in the alley.

With reverence, tranquility... and an ingrained fervor.

"We are light, we are warmth, we are sunrise, we are hope."

"We are nothing, we are merely shadows moving forward under the will of the Holy Light."

"We come from the West Continent, from Light City."

"We... have come to welcome you home."

...

...

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