Light Fortress

"If I refuse, what would you do?"

The woman’s voice in the secret prison was cold.

"You, revered as the Goddess, leave me with no options... But is there no one in this world that you care for?"

Yao Jin smiled and said, "Lord Divine is selecting the ’Torch Inheritor’, and recently Western Continent has welcomed many guests. I’ve heard that from Eastern Continent, the Gu family has also sent a delegation."

As soon as the name Gu family was mentioned.

Meng Xizhou’s expression subtly changed.

The Goddess, who had been sitting in meditation for years, had a trace of menace around her brows.

"Yao Jin, this is between you and me... Do not involve the innocent."

"What do you mean by that?"

Yao Jin lowered his head and laughed, "I possess a bit of self-awareness; Mr. Yao’s words don’t hold much weight, I’m unqualified to play against that young master from the Gu family, let alone drag him into this. Some matters are beyond my control... You have not contacted him for many years now, have you?"

After being trapped in the secret prison.

Rumors swirled outside, but no one knew the truth.

But Gu Nanfeng surely knows... It’s impossible that Meng Xizhou, as the rumors say, has been serving at the divine seat, soundless and uninformed, must have been confined!

"Enough, I won’t disturb you any longer."

Yao Jin gently said, "There’s no rush regarding the Holy Book, take your time thinking about it."

...

...

Exiting the dark corridor all the way.

Yao Jin reconnected his spirit with the Deep Sea, starting to browse through the archives.

Western Continent’s permissions were limited.

The temple could only obtain part of the Tonezawa’s files in Yinghai District.

Such documents involving continental secrets are often obscured by the high ranks... The outside world can only learn the truth through official "reports."

But smart people know.

Report material only holds half-truths, to grasp the answer, one must delve into the essence.

"On the day Tonezaka Shozaburo was executed, the Yuanting Island negotiations had just been completed."

"The Eastern Continent Fleet is on its way back to Changye..."

Yao Jin pondered.

The leader of this fleet is Gu Nanfeng, the blockade of Yuanting Island’s coastline has been lifted, yet what really happened in the icy sea remains unknown to all... But by now, the truth is no longer important.

Light City and the Source Tower dispatched thirty-five cloud ships, and it seems none are likely to return.

The response from the united fleet in Central City Changye was that a sudden adverse weather in the icy sea caused the fleet to lose its way, they don’t know what happened.

This statement is quite ridiculous.

However ridiculous, Light City still must accept it... Because they haven’t received even the slightest wind of news or images, and the leader of the Western Continent Fleet, Yin Zhuo, is still missing.

These are not Yao Jin’s concerns, he is interested in the timing noted on this secret report.

The death time of Tonezaka Shozaburo would only be earlier than the official report, not later, and at this time Gu Nanfeng is still commanding the fleet.

Yao Jin speculates, [the Snake God Belief] files, there is a chess player secretly plotting in Eastern Continent.

The person who fits this role most in his mind is Gu Nanfeng.

But the timing doesn’t match.

"Could it be... truly another ’shadow’ like me, never appearing in the public’s view?"

Wheeling himself out of the secret prison, Yao Jin squinted his eyes, the intense sunlight of the outside world fell upon him, warming his body. His complexion was pale, as white as the robe of the Light Church, the breeze blew through, and Yao Jin softly exhaled.

The two Holy Judges hurried forward to greet.

"Lord Yao Jin, the delegations from various continents have arrived, the Great Elder instructed us to be a gracious host... Some individuals require your presence."

This matter.

Originally Yuan Yang was responsible.

But Yuan Yang already has been cast into the secret prison... So it falls on Yao Jin to handle it.

Yao Jin calmly looked up at the sun on the skytop, a bit dazzled.

Under this sun, how many others like him remain shadows, unable to witness the light?

The Light Church cultivated countless sacrificial individuals, hidden children, shadows.

The lives of most of these individuals were short, and tragic.

Those who live to stand under the sun are one in ten thousand fortunate ones.

"You just mentioned that all the continent delegations have arrived, then what about Eastern Continent, has Gu Nanfeng come?" Yao Jin returned to his senses, speaking softly.

"Each district of Eastern Continent has sent a delegation."

A Holy Judge hesitated for a moment, then said, "From Changye... representatives have come, but no one from the Gu family."

"Heh..."

Yao Jin sneered lightly.

The sunset in the Western Continent, such a significant event, would the Gu family not send anyone?

No matter if others believe it or not, he won’t buy into it.

Due to the explicit stipulation by the Five Continents, Transcendent beings above Titled level need to submit an application to the council before traveling between continents. Only after approval can they take official action, otherwise, any consequences from cross-continent missions will be fully borne by their place of origin.

Gu Nanfeng’s refusal to appear is nothing more than a wish to avoid openly defying the law.

"Sir, there is one matter that needs to be reported to you."

Another Holy Judge spoke in a low voice, "Many years ago, Lord Divine designated an ’apostle’ in the Outer Continent..."

This Holy Judge had just begun to speak.

Yao Jin frowned and said, "Song Ci of Da Du?"

This matter is no longer much of a secret within the temple. Years ago, with the help of Meng Xizhou, Gu Nanfeng slipped into Light City, met the Light God’s Seat personally, and obtained an apostle’s token.

At that time, the temple did not understand. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

But later, Song Ci became famous after a battle in Da Du!

For the temple, it was actually very good news that a top-level ’Undead’ like Song Ci was willing to accept the Light Token.

So they sent a Holy Judge to invite Song Ci to the West.

This invitation lasted for many years.

Yao Jin remembered clearly that seven or eight years ago, when he was still a Secret Dungeon Guard, he heard the Holy Judge report to the temple... Several believers in Dadu District had been beaten by Song Ci, something that had never happened in the history of Light City. Having accepted the token, not returning to the West Continent was one thing.

Beating believers was simply a disrespect to the Light Church!

"Song Ci... what’s wrong with him?"

Yao Jin rubbed his temples and said, "If I remember correctly, didn’t this guy hide in the Qingzhong Cemetery?"

After Bai Shu refined the Battle Fire, the East Continent became bold.

The Battle God and the Empress joined forces to form an "alliance," and Song Ci simply ignored the Light Church and hid directly in the Battle God Domain. Light City had no way to deal with this kind of rogue behavior.

They couldn’t possibly go to war with Bai Shu over an ’apostle,’ could they?

"He has come out."

The Holy Judge reported in a low voice, "A few days ago, Song Ci left Changye; the Dream of Light’s call to the ’apostle’ gradually revived. His mindset achieved significant enhancement in the Battle God Domain, and he can now resist the arrival of the ’Red Lake Dream,’ but the temple could only see fragments of his whereabouts... In recent days, he has been coming westward at a leisurely pace, clearly heading for Light City, and is already close to the city."

"Interesting."

Yao Jin exhaled a breath of pent-up air, saying gloomily, "This is obviously aimed at the ’Molten Furnace Spark.’ This Song really knows how to bargain!"

He took the apostle’s token, took advantage, then hid in the Battle God Domain without a trace.

And when Lord Divine is about to choose a successor... he jumps out again!

"There are many in the temple who are dissatisfied with Song Ci. Several elders are talking about taking his token emblem!"

The Holy Judge sighed softly and said, "Sir, what should be done with this person?"

"The token was given by Lord Divine, what qualifications does the temple have to take it back?"

Yao Jin shook his head, calming himself before slowly saying, "The Great Elder entrusted ’reception’ to me, so there’s no need for the other elders to worry. Tell them not to act rashly... Regardless, Song Ci is a ’Light Apostle,’ and since he has come to Light City, he is a guest of the temple. Is he already at the city’s gates?"

The Holy Judge hesitated and said, "Yes... and he’s making noise about wanting to see you."

"Wants to see me?"

Yao Jin smiled faintly, "Take me to see him."

A moment later, he arrived before the temple, where lush grass grew outside the courtyard walls, sunlight spilt down, and a gentle wind arose.

"Are you the one in charge of the Light Temple now?"

A rather rude voice sounded.

Song Ci frowned as he looked at the young man in a wheelchair before him.

"The Second Elder had some urgent business, so I am temporarily handling city affairs." Yao Jin appraised the two "young men" before him.

He recognized Song Ci, having reviewed his file countless times.

He spent six years in meditation within the Battle God Domain.

This person’s aura was completely contained, likely having advanced further.

He must have Titled strength, and strong at that.

Giving him a quick glance, Yao Jin formed a rough estimation in his mind. In fact, according to continental laws, Song Ci needed to apply to the council to cross continents... but he had another status, a ’Light Apostle’ under the Light God’s Seat, according to the law, he should have long been escorted back to Light City, so there was no issue with this meeting.

"And you are?"

The one who truly attracted Yao Jin’s attention was not Song Ci but the young man standing beside him who seemed just as frail as himself.

"My surname is Lu, Lu Shi."

The young man smiled warmly, stating a name Yao Jin had never heard before.

The surname Lu is quite famous.

The Great Capital Flower Flag bears the surname Lu, Lu Nanzhi, and Lu Nan Jin have a deep connection with Song Ci.

But who exactly is this Lu Shi?

Yao Jin was somewhat puzzled. He had read extensively about the Five Continents’ cases but had no impression of this person: "This guy’s spiritual aura is indeed ordinary... Either he is an unremarkable Spiritual Transcendent of about third-tier strength, or his spiritual power is stronger than mine, reaching beyond the Titled level."

The thought passed fleetingly.

Yao Jin considered the latter possibility very low. Across the Five Continents, those of such age with spiritual power stronger than his... should be fewer than five fingers.

Bai Xiu, Red Dragon, Mu Wanqiu, Su Ye...

Those he could think of were all renowned figures.

This Lu Shi did not fit.

"Brother Song Ci, I’ve long admired your name."

Yao Jin said blandly, "I heard that years ago, you wouldn’t budge despite our countless pleas. What made you think of coming back to take a look now?"