Ji Zhou said calmly, "You have made great contributions to humanity. From now on, the system of the Ether Association will also change because of you. The system you criticized before was a helpless measure due to insufficient technological capabilities. But moving forward, such things should no longer happen."
Gu Jianlin nodded slightly.
Because they had found a way to eliminate mental pollution.
Although it couldn't completely eradicate it yet, they had taken a crucial step forward.
It was of immense significance.
"From now on, no one should be able to use the name of the Fallen as an excuse to eliminate dissent anymore."
Ji Zhou sighed and said, "How should the Ether Association thank you?"
"That credit all goes to Ji Xiaoyu and Lin Wanqiu. How the Ether Association rewards them, I don't care."
Gu Jianlin said earnestly, "Lin Lan must be protected."
Ji Zhou nodded slightly. "She is a critically important witness. You don't even have to mention it."
With the Divine General's promise, Gu Jianlin felt reassured.
"What about Thunder?"
He asked.
Ji Zhou said blandly, "I just went to see her. She's unconscious."
Gu Jianlin was stunned.
"Thunder was severely injured, with severe frostbite on her back, corroded by the cold mist. Neither secret medicine nor ordinary Holy Light Skill can heal her. I've already arranged for someone to treat her injuries. You don't need to worry."
Ji Zhou explained.
Gu Jianlin fell silent. While he was unconscious earlier, he had a nightmare of falling into a freezing hell.
But in the dream, he constantly felt himself being held, the only warmth shielding him.
He thought it was a dream, but now it seemed very likely it was real.
At that time, Thunder must have used her body to shield him...
"You really do have charm."
Ji Zhou glanced at him, chuckling sarcastically. "The number one prodigy groomed by headquarters could go to such lengths for you, as if willing to throw away both her future and her life."
Gu Jianlin's heart stirred slightly.
Memories flooded his mind: the warmth of being held in her arms, her hand supporting him as he staggered forward, her determined gaze during their life-and-death struggle, and finally, her leaning beside him for a selfie.
Though it might not have all been just for him, the trust and protection were undeniably heartfelt.
As they say.
The kindness of a beauty runs deep.
"But you don't need to feel too guilty. You don't owe her anything. The value of your discovery this time is immense. In theory, if mental pollution can be eradicated, it's very likely the Divine Servants could also be freed."
Ji Zhou suddenly mentioned.
Gu Jianlin was shocked, recalling the words Old Gu had once said.
The Primordial's Divine Servants weren't beyond redemption!
"That's wonderful. In that case, Tang Zijing might have a chance."
Gu Jianlin murmured.
The name caused a glint to flicker in Ji Zhou's eyes, but she said nothing.
Gu Jianlin asked again, "Senior, how will Zhang Xuzhi and the others be dealt with?"
Ji Zhou fell silent for a second.
"Zhang Xuzhi, Li Hanting, and Zhou Hanye are about to be escorted to Dawn City for trial. Whether they live or die depends on the final judgment, the power plays of various factions, and the President's decision."
She paused for a moment. "Lu Zijin has also been labeled a traitor. The evidence submitted by the Judgement Court has been verified. She will be stripped of her Divine General title, dismissed from her ministerial position, and most likely imprisoned."
Gu Jianlin's pupils constricted sharply. "Is this the President's will?"
Ji Zhou said indifferently, "Yes."
Gu Jianlin silently gripped the bedsheet on the stretcher, veins bulging on the back of his hand.
"What do you intend to do?"
Ji Zhou stared at him.
Gu Jianlin said softly, "Senior, if it weren't for our strength, if it weren't for our unwavering will, I'm afraid all of us would be corpses right now. Minister Lu would die, Ji Xiaoyu would die, the Lin siblings would die—every one of us would be dead."
Ji Zhou said coldly, "But you aren't dead."
"The dead cannot seek justice for themselves."
Gu Jianlin lifted his eyes, their depths unreadable, and said quietly, "I want to do one thing openly, in my own name, for everyone to see."
Ji Zhou squinted, her eyes mocking. "You? Can you manage that? Don't think I don't know what you're planning. But with your current strength, you're far from capable—you're as insignificant as an amoeba."
Gu Jianlin enunciated each word: "Senior, I have my own way."
Then, he picked up a blood-red longsword.
The Shadow bent down to carry him on its back, preparing to leave.
For a brief moment, Ji Zhou raised her hand, blocking his path.
"I am a Divine General of the Ether Association."
She emphasized, "A Guardian of Order."
Gu Jianlin turned his head, asking calmly, "Does order stand above morality and justice? Seeking vengeance for grievances is an unchanging principle. You must know who deserves to die."
Ji Zhou was silent for a few seconds before sighing. "I don't like the President, so I have no obligation to stop you. But you're a hero. I can't just watch you walk to your death."
Gu Jianlin said softly, "Rest assured, Senior. I won't die."
Ji Zhou raised her eyebrow. "Are you serious?"
"When I was in Black Cloud City, I already did something similar. But whether it was against the Judgement Court or the people controlled by The Order of the Hidden, it didn't really hurt them."
Gu Jianlin smiled quietly. "But this time, I think it's time to make them feel some pain."
Ji Zhou gave him a deep look. "Do you intend to trample on the rules? You're nowhere near as strong as Qing and Chi."
"I said I have my own way."
Gu Jianlin murmured, "They create miracles. I can't do that, so I'll take care of the killing."
The next moment, the Shadow flashed away with him, disappearing on the spot.
The tent was left with nothing but the sound of the wind.
Ji Zhou's hair was lifted by the breeze, her cold and exquisite face devoid of expression.
"How did Gu Ci'an end up raising such a lawless son?"
She muttered softly, "Never experienced that era, yet so similar to Qing and Chi."
No one answered her question.
"And also so similar to how I was in my youth."
She sighed faintly. "It's a pity. By doing this, you're probably severing any chance of inheriting the legacy of the Heavenly Person."
Who knows how much time had passed before Ji Zhou spoke again, "Come in."
The tent's flap lifted, and Han Jing walked in with an expressionless face. "President."
"Keep an eye on that boy."
Ji Zhou hesitated for a moment. "Don't let anything happen to him."
She gazed into the distance, thinking, with your current self, how do you plan to accomplish that?
In the snowstorm raging outside, the Shadow galloped across the icy ground using Space Jump.
Gu Jianlin's hair was lifted by the wind, and a spark of wild fire seemed to ignite deep within his eyes.
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