Light Fortress

The surface of Red Lake was shrouded in mist.

A small boat slowly sailed out of the mist.

In the center of the lake sat a burly figure clad in iron armor.

"If you have something to discuss, you can just send a spiritual message directly..."

Jia Wei opened his eyes and looked at the boat that had reached the center of the lake. He spoke gently, "Why come in person?"

"Lord Holy Judge."

Yao Jin leaned on a bamboo pole and chuckled softly, "I wanted to try... if I could reach the ’heart of the lake’ by rowing."

The light aura here was incredibly dense, and the so-called mist was actually formed from primordial essence.

The entire Light City was built around Red Lake.

This attested to the area’s immense power and deep blessings.

Advancing within Red Lake was not an easy task; rather than calling Light City a divine miracle, it would be more accurate to call this vast Red Lake the true divine miracle. The Light God’s Seat was deep in the Red Lake, meditating, with the power of its flame spreading over the lake’s surface. All Transcendents who set foot on Red Lake were recognized by "light."

The deeper one went, the closer one was to the "light aura."

Those with evil thoughts and distractions could not advance easily.

Those whose spirits were not pure or focused enough could not advance.

The many rules and restrictions often meant outsiders could only enjoy the view by boat; but even so, approaching the center of the lake still faced strong resistance... this resistance did not come from the outside but from within.

If one’s spirit was not strong enough,

they could not pass the heart of the lake to enter the depths of Red Lake.

This layer of mist varied person to person; some people, born with keen senses, were not troubled by the mist.

Jia Wei looked at the young man on the small boat and slowly asked, "What you see now... is it still a vast mist?"

"The mist... it has grown thicker."

Yao Jin did not hide it. He smiled, "Perhaps Lord Divine also despises the filth I have been stained with? I’m afraid it’s very difficult to proceed beyond Red Lake."

Jia Wei’s eyes hidden beneath the armor were somewhat complicated.

In all of Light City, there was no one more suitable than Yao Jin to guard the Secret Dungeon.

Yao Jin was decisive, sharp, and ruthless enough!

However...

At times, Jia Wei couldn’t tell if what Yao Jin was doing was right.

The one who trained Yao Jin was not him,

but the Temple Grand Elder.

After Jia Wei was promoted to [Holy Judge], he no longer concerned himself with matters of the Secret Dungeon, and spent his days meditating at Red Lake, bringing much peace to the world around him.

"Why are you looking for me?"

Jia Wei asked softly.

"There is indeed something."

Yao Jin briefly recounted the events that had happened outside in recent days.

Jia Wei listened patiently.

After hearing it, he smiled and asked, "So... you want to use my hand to get rid of Gu Nanfeng?"

"My lord, how dare I use you as a pawn?"

Yao Jin replied respectfully, "I want to find out who is conspiring with Gu Nanfeng."

He knew Jia Wei wasn’t interested in the battles between the outside families.

Jia Wei said calmly, "Another conspirator? You think Gu Nanfeng might not be acting alone to break into the Secret Dungeon?"

"Indeed."

Yao Jin said seriously, "I’m quite certain that the Titled sent from the East Continent to Light City is not just Gu Nanfeng."

"There are only so many Titled across the Five Continents."

Jia Wei frowned, "Where would the East Continent find another Titled? If there truly was one, how could the temple not know?"

The center of Red Lake was silent for a moment.

Yao Jin said softly, "That’s true, but what if... that person is under the Netherworld King’s command?"

These two words.

Caused countless ripples to instantly appear on the calm lake surface.

Jia Wei’s heart was unsettled.

The Holy Judge exhaled and said coldly, "Under the Netherworld King’s command?"

He still remembered clearly... that stab in the Sangzhou Cave back then!

With that stab, he pierced Gu Shen’s body, thrusting him heavily into the erupting Tanyao Volcano!

Since that stab, the ominous dreams guided by light hadn’t occurred again. He had long suspected that Gu Shen was the "Netherworld King" Meng Xiao was seeking, but there was no evidence. It was just that after the sinking of Sangzhou Cave, Jia Wei no longer needed evidence. In his mind, Gu Shen had already equated to the Netherworld King.

He received such great Divine Favour.

This also somewhat confirmed this guess.

But now hearing these two words again, Jia Wei’s Heart Lake was tumultuous.

"Just a speculation."

Yao Jin said each word carefully, "But not a baseless one. That person is hiding within Light City, and I’ve sent people to investigate. We’ve almost turned the entire city upside down but have found nothing, which shows that this person’s skills are profound... Such a figure is not something that can be nurtured just by relying on the strength of the five great families."

After hearing all this, Jia Wei’s once-calm gaze now carried a sharp killing intent.

He asked, "When will Gu Nanfeng attempt to break the dungeon?"

"Perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow... or perhaps he will keep waiting for an opportunity."

Feeling the icy killing intent, Yao Jin smiled, knowing he had completed his mission to persuade at the heart of the lake.

Jia Wei’s means, Yao Jin knew very well.

Once he resolved to do something,

no one could stop him.

"My lord, you need not leave these days; it’s best to cultivate here in the heart of Red Lake. The more people see you, the more likely Gu Nanfeng and his mysterious accomplice will act."

Yao Jin said solemnly, "If you leave Red Lake, nothing can be guaranteed."

Gu Nanfeng, in attempting to rescue Meng Xizhou, must see the "possibility" of success.

His purpose in coming to Red Lake was to inform Jia Wei of the "break the dungeon" setup, as well as to stabilize this Lord Holy Judge!

In Yao Jin’s mind, as long as he could persuade the Holy Judge to take action, the matter was as good as done.

Gu Nanfeng is very strong.

But no matter how strong... can he be stronger than Lord Jia Wei?

As early as the fourth rank, Jia Wei was already capable of confronting someone of the Titled Realm head-on!

Now, with his further advancement, there’s absolutely no match for him across the West Continent.

Even the Temple Grand Elder personally admitted that in a one-on-one duel with Jia Wei, there’s no chance of victory.

This is Light City, bolstered by the Bright Armor, and Yao Jin couldn’t think of what Gu Nanfeng could use to fight the Holy Judge... As for using the speed-renowned Lan Qie, he had heard of it long ago; the Bright Armor specifically counters such fast, aggressive abilities. No matter how strong Gu Nanfeng’s domain is, all he can do is escape.

But entering a complex environment like the Secret Dungeon, Lord Holy Judge blocks the exit.

Gu Nanfeng is bound to lose.

This is Yao Jin’s final gamble.

Under the light, there’s a hidden, dark dungeon.

He’s betting that Gu Nanfeng will attempt a jailbreak, and he’s also betting that the so-called "mastermind" will act together.

...

...

"Young Master, the jailbreak is no trifling matter."

Sweat dripped from Luo Yu’s forehead as he blocked Gu Nanfeng, preventing him from advancing further, while earnestly advising: "I know you and Miss Meng have mutual affection, and this must be done... But the way to jailbreak must be carefully planned."

"..."

Gu Nanfeng looked at Luo Yu, his expression somewhat peculiar.

Fatty Luo had already repeated these words several times.

Now, Gu Nanfeng finally had a chance to speak.

"I’m just going to fetch that pot of tea, after all the talking with Yao Jin, it’s almost cold."

Gu Nanfeng smiled helplessly and asked, "Are you so anxious because you’re worried I’ll act now?"

Luo Yu was startled.

Gu Nanfeng said irritably, "After following me for so long, don’t you understand me? Am I such a reckless person?"

"Certainly not..."

Luo Yu wiped off his cold sweat and hurriedly explained, "But after all, Miss Meng is not the same as before."

"If I am to rescue someone, I cannot risk myself."

Gu Nanfeng said calmly, "No matter how urgent, I won’t thoughtlessly charge into the Secret Dungeon."

"That’s good, that’s good..."

Fatty Luo laughed, "I’ll carefully assess how many people from the Gu family can be utilized in Light City, and gather some from nearby in the coming days."

Gu Nanfeng raised an eyebrow, "For what?"

"A jailbreak is a major event—" Luo Yu said seriously, "How can we let you go alone? Everyone in the Gu family is willing to risk their lives for the Young Master!"

"Fool!"

Gu Nanfeng took a sip of tea and said coldly, "Do you think this is Changye? The temple has been watching the ’Gu family’ closely, the more people we gather, the bigger the commotion, and the worse my situation gets. If I act alone, they can’t watch me; if you all act together, they certainly can keep an eye on you."

"Young Master..."

Luo Yu gritted his teeth and said, "What if I go and test the Secret Dungeon first for you?"

Gu Nanfeng sighed softly.

He knew Luo Yu was concerned for him.

That’s what they say about care leading to chaos... when things truly arise, the one who loses his judgment is this Fatty.

"The jailbreak is destined to be handled by me alone, others would just be burdens."

Gu Nanfeng looked at Luo Yu and said, "As for testing the Secret Dungeon first, that’s even a worse option; if you get caught, what should I use to redeem you? If you go, the temple gains another card."

"I..."

Luo Yu was left speechless.

Just then, Zhong Fan, who had been silent, spoke up.

He spoke very quietly, "Young Master Gu, I know this jailbreak is of great importance... we might not be able to help. But there’s one person who might be able to aid you?"

The Secret Dungeon guard is Jia Wei!

With the guard of this level, the strength is too formidable; even someone at the fourth rank would be marching to their death!

Even Gu Nanfeng himself isn’t confident of making a clean withdrawal.

But in Zhong Fan’s heart, there is one person... who can definitely help in this matter, and be decisive at that!

"You mean... that evil ghost?"

Before Gu Nanfeng could speak, Luo Yu interrupted.

Being able to fight two Titled individuals at the Ice Sea Ruins... this person is an absolute powerhouse even among the Titled ranks!

"Yes."

Zhong Fan nodded, saying solemnly: "Young Master Gu, if you think jailbreak requires assistance... perhaps you could contact that ’evil ghost.’ With his assistance, it might be much easier."

"If that ’evil ghost’ is as powerful as you say, I could consider it; but how do we contact him?"

Luo Yu frowned and said: "According to you, he comes and goes like a phantom, not leaving a trace... Even for Wutuo, who was intensely guarded by the temple, was killed just so swiftly. For a powerhouse of this level, determined not to expose their identity, how could we find him?"

"I don’t want to contact him."

At this point, Gu Nanfeng spoke up.

His words were unexpected to both Luo Yu and Zhong Fan.

"Young Master Gu?"

Zhong Fan was full of confusion and asked, "Why don’t you want to contact him? His actions at the Ice Sea Ruins and killing of Wutuo have already proven his stance. He must be on our side."

"I think... since he chooses to keep his identity hidden, he must have his own considerations."

Gu Nanfeng shook his head, speaking calmly: "Yao Jin’s layout last night was obviously aimed at him, and this entry into the mansion is no exception. He just wants to use my hand to pull out the person they’re truly afraid of. Whatever identity that evil ghost has, coming to the West Continent is definitely not for rescuing the Secret Dungeon. This matter doesn’t concern him, and there’s no need to drag him into these troubled waters."

"The East Continent has hardly managed to plant such a hidden child, and I don’t want my personal affairs to lead to a loss to the big picture."

Upon hearing these words, Luo Yu and Zhong Fan were unable to refute further.

Standing above the big picture.

Contacting the "evil ghost" indeed seems inappropriate.

But, when they exchanged a glance, both were somewhat reluctant, wanting to persuade a bit more.

"It’s my responsibility to save Meng Xizhou."

Gu Nanfeng said: "I understand you two mean well, but as for contacting the ’evil ghost’... let’s not bring it up again."