Gu Jianlin also looked up at the sky, staring at the oppressive clouds sprawling across the heavens.

"I don't even know how I feel."

He said softly: "Just disappointed, but also somewhat relieved."

Jing Ci made a sound in acknowledgment and smiled slightly: "Is that so? Back in Black Cloud City, you encountered Mu Feng and his daughter, as well as the people in the refuge. Why did you choose to help them back then? Was it because they saved your friends, because of their tragedy or kindness? Or was it because of your father? Or your arrogance?"

Gu Jianlin stayed silent.

"You met good people in Black Cloud City, but what kind of people did you encounter in West Port? You casually helped someone, yet what you got in return was betrayal, bringing forth a swarm of insatiable individuals begging for your charity, none of whom cared at all about your life."

Jing Ci continued: "Your assistance to the Zhong family father and daughter was unintentional; it was just a means for you to blend into the Forbidden Zone and carry out your assassination of the Yan family. But indeed, they showed kindness toward you—the meal you shared back then, and… don't you understand why they refused to tell you about what happened just now?"

Gu Jianlin asked earnestly: "Why?"

"Because of the self-esteem of the weak."

Jing Ci swirled the golden liquor in his bottle and suddenly said: "Take a look at the news. Below the reports of donations from philanthropic tycoons, many people offer gratitude, but some also say… isn't it just because they have money? If I had as much money as them, I could donate too. I might even donate more than they do."

Gu Jianlin was taken aback.

"Some people will think you're genuinely kind; others will believe you're hypocritical. That depends on whether their world appears dark or light, good or evil."

At this point, Jing Ci's gaze shifted slightly: "But the true reason you help others, the reason you choose to stand up—it's because you have a fallback, Gu Jianlin."

Gu Jianlin's pupils trembled slightly upon hearing this.

Jing Ci fixed his eyes on him: "You are arrogant because you believe you can achieve those things, so if you don't do them, you consider yourself cowardly. You have a fallback because you have plenty of cards to play. The Joker incident—that was because you uncovered the association's scheme and were confident you wouldn't get hurt, wasn't it?"

Gu Jianlin said nothing. In truth, his greatest confidence came from the power of the Qilin Venerable.

"During the Black Cloud City incident, you had already mastered Ancient God Transformation, killing one severely injured Captain Level and two wounded Deputy Captains. That wasn't difficult for you. As for opponents of the same level, they don't pose much threat to you. Later, you knew we'd come to help you because you had already sensed our presence."

Jing Ci looked toward the world between sea and sky and said: "But what if one day you lose those cards? What if one day your cards aren't enough? Neither your mentor nor I can stay by your side forever. Your mentor doesn't have many years left. Just earlier, he even made a trip to Northern Europe."

On the wheelchair, Huai Yin lightly tapped the wooden armrest, his breath carrying a faint trace of agitation.

A subtle scent of blood lingered.

"It's nothing major. In the polar night of Northern Europe, a Primordial attempted to awaken but was suppressed by your mentor, that's all. This world is far from peaceful; sacrifices occur every moment."

Jing Ci said: "Your mentor will die; I might die too. Then what will you do? Suppose both of us are gone, and the Ghost Car Ancestor stands before you—what would you do?"

Gu Jianlin remained silent.

"Do you know? From start to finish, your mentor has never said a single word to you, nor has he declared publicly that you are his disciple. He has left you an escape route. If you became his disciple and carried his name, the pressure you'd face in the future would be far greater than now."

Jing Ci sighed: "Because you're still missing one thing."

Gu Jianlin didn't hesitate and asked: "What is it?"

"This will be your second lesson—the name of this lesson is courage."

Jing Ci raised a finger: "The courage to face life and death."

Gu Jianlin sank into deep thought.

"The Breathing Technique isn't just a tool to help accumulate spirituality or passively replenish energy during combat. It's something that can match the Ancient Divine Language—it's humanity's greatest treasure. If you truly want to master it, then show courage."

Jing Ci turned his back to him: "Do you know? In this world, only true strength earns respect. What is strength? It has nothing to do with the measure of power. Those warriors who defend the Human World with their lives—they are strong. Parents who protect their children with their lives—they are strong. Mu Feng is strong, Vulture is strong, and your father is strong too."

He paused: "—And what your mentor hopes for is that you are no longer just Gu Ci'an's son, not merely the student of the King of Qing, not simply my junior disciple. You must be yourself—your unique self."

When the words fell, the elderly man on the wheelchair opened his eyes, a faint smile flickering in his gaze.

Boom!

The silent world was shattered by the sound of thunder. The rumble of waves roared like thunder, sweeping in from afar.

The sea wind surged upward, sweeping toward the sky, and a single drop of rain descended from the heavens.

The smell of the sea tide permeated the space between heaven and earth.

Amid the din of the human world, torrential rain poured down.

No one noticed their departure.