Now the Black Qilin is asleep in consciousness, clearly wary of this power,
This is the power of the Heavenly Person.
"If I'm not mistaken, this power will invade the depths of the Sea of Eternal Life next, won't it?"
He suddenly asked.
"Yes, the Ether Association is already preparing to raid the gatekeeper boss."
Han Jing said coldly, "As the name suggests, the dimensional hierarchies of the Ancient God Realm have layers. For instance, Buzhou Mountain has seven layers, Fusang Divine Palace has nine layers, Yun Mengze has thirteen layers, and the Gate of Hell has five layers. Qilin Immortal Palace has fewer layers, but each one spans an immense area. Originally, this layer was supposed to have many Ancestors guarding it, but due to a decisive battle over two thousand years ago, most of the Ancestors fell."
"Some truly perished, while others are dormant in dimensional fissures we cannot observe—they won't emerge for at least a few hundred years. As such, the only confirmed surviving Ancestor on this layer is Kui."
She paused briefly and continued, "The Sea of Eternal Life holds the key to the next layer. In a sense, the Kui Dragon Ancestor is the gatekeeper boss of this layer. It's akin to playing a game—whenever a new version rolls out with new expansions, players worldwide form teams and strive for the first kill of the boss."
Gu Jianlin nodded in realization, "That's quite apt."
"The Red Qilin Ancestor in the Returning Burial Forest is already half-dead, its power has mostly dissipated, so it hasn't caused much of a stir. It will awake again 1,500 years later, but that's not our concern."
Han Jing elaborated, "As for the Kui Dragon Ancestor, if it were at its peak, only Catastrophes could handle it. However, the first time we observed it, it was in a severely weakened state. Now it has likely recovered to about two-thirds of its strength. When the time comes, things will get intense, and the gatekeeping team will be quite extraordinary."
"Such as?"
Gu Jianlin curiously asked.
"This time, the gatekeeper team is led by Vice President Lin Dong, accompanied by the Heavenly Fire God General, Xuan Shui God General, Profound Yin Saint, and Ye Dao Saint. Lastly, the team includes me, who recently ascended to Holy Land Level, and another Night Watcher."
Han Jing spoke calmly, "One Ninth Rank, two Eighth Rank, four Seventh Rank. In reality, the only main force is Vice President Lin Dong; the others are there to handle any potential Ancestors or to play supporting roles."
Chen Bojun chuckled, "That's not all. We, the rest, will be busy outside. After all, this is an Ancient Ancestor; we can't afford to be careless. There will even be a Catastrophe to oversee the battle."
"You're already at Fourth Rank. Tonight, I'll assign you to the primary team. It's not ranked but rather an auxiliary position."
He said, "Just like Thunder."
Gu Jianlin nodded in understanding, "I get it."
"To be honest, I thought you'd reject me this time."
Han Jing suddenly remarked, "I think Thunder would actually suit you better than the Night Watchers."
Chen Bojun laughed, "Indeed. None of us thought you'd agree to assist the Night Watchers. You know, right? You carry significant weight—you're King Qing's student. Once you engage in the Ether Association's internal faction struggles, regardless of which side, your influence will be immense."
"If you were willing to support Thunder, then the President might even reconsider, abandoning Vice Presidents Lin Dong and Rhein without hesitation, and use some extreme methods to extend his life."
He emphasized, "This would set the stage for Thunder's ascension."
Gu Jianlin's heart stirred.
"Moreover, compared to Rhein and Lin Dong, it's clear that Thunder has a brighter future."
Chen Bojun commented with a sense of wonder, "Her background is extraordinary."
"Although I hope you'll join the Night Watchers, if it's the best choice for you, you should choose Thunder. You can reconsider now, but you might not have the chance later."
Han Jing advised, "Thunder's backing isn't limited to the Sword Tomb. The so-called Sword Tomb is merely an ancient sect inherited by the Silver King, fundamentally similar to the Ying Royal Family under the Golden King."
Gu Jianlin thought of something.
The Bai Ze Clan.
"Why not pick Thunder then?"
Chen Bojun asked curiously, "I thought you had a good relationship with her."
Han Jing also cast a questioning glance at him.
"Because she doesn't like it."
Gu Jianlin considered briefly, "I want to go see Thunder first."
Chen Bojun was startled for a moment and grinned, "Alright."
Han Jing gave the boy a deep look but said nothing.
The frost and wind swirled ahead as they returned to the temporary encampment. Here, nano warriors stood guard everywhere, alongside newly erected towers and turrets, with countless drones circling above.
Thunder's tent lay in the deepest part of the medical zone, oddly without any nano warriors stationed.
Instead, black-robed figures guarded the tent. They carried ancient, rustic sword boxes on their backs and stood statue-like in the snowfall—twelve in total, exuding an eerie, mysterious presence.
Chen Bojun and Han Jing had official matters to attend to, so they naturally wouldn't accompany Gu Jianlin.
Gu Jianlin drove his sled closer alone. Thanks to his special status, no one stopped him along the way.
As he dismounted, he headed straight for the tent.
The blood-red Tang Blade, wrapped in bandages, trembled faintly in his hand, seemingly sensing something.
"What's the matter?"
Gu Jianlin asked silently.
Jiuyin chuckled, "Interesting."
For a brief moment, the black-robed figures lifted their heads to look at him. Their faces under the hoods were crystalline like jade, indistinguishable in gender, with an otherworldly, seductive quality. Their eyes gleamed like starlit skies.
Gu Jianlin had seen such people before—in his mentor's grocery store.
"These are not humans."
Jiuyin snickered.
Gu Jianlin was taken aback, "Could they be members of the Ancient God Clan?"
Jiuyin mocked, "Not exactly. These were humans initially but had the power of the Ancient God Clan infused into them, transforming them into their current forms. The Bai Ze Clan continues to experiment with such methods. The Lord attempted this over a millennium ago—it doesn't work."
Gu Jianlin asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"Do you think I was created any differently?"
Jiuyin sneered, "The Bai Ze Clan developed the concept of fusing growth-type Mythical Weapons with humans. These people are pseudo-ancestors—a far cry from genuine Ancestors but still a viable path."
Gu Jianlin fell into contemplation.
"Of course, compared to peculiar beings like you, they're leagues apart. Seeing you, I'm convinced that the Lord succeeded. Though I don't know exactly what you are, it all proves the Lord's greatness!"
Jiuyin softly buzzed.
Stupid sword.
Gu Jianlin shook his head and proceeded toward the tent, still unimpeded.
A wind chime dangled outside the tent, and he lightly flicked it.
A crisp sound rang out.
From within the tent came a cold, composed voice, "Who's there?"
Gu Jianlin answered evenly, "It's me."
Rustling noises ensued from inside.
Tang Ling cleared her throat and called out, "Uh… one moment."
Barely had she spoken when the sound of bottles and jars smashing erupted, followed by a heavy thud.
It seemed someone had fallen.
Gu Jianlin quickly lifted the tent flap and entered, only to freeze.
Tang Ling was sitting on the ground, hurriedly pulling a blanket over her body. Her frost-white hair cascaded down, spilling across her smooth, rounded shoulders. Her collarbones were exquisitely sculpted.
Apparently, she wasn't wearing clothes.
Notably, her shoulders were wrapped in bandages, and scattered around her were spilled secret medicines.
They locked eyes.
Tang Ling's cold, resolute gaze held faint traces of embarrassment. After a brief silence,
"I was applying medicine."
She lowered her head, somewhat flustered, "And accidentally fell."
Recalling her frostbite, Gu Jianlin couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you have someone help you?"
Tang Ling paused for a second, "I don't like dealing with strangers."
Gu Jianlin hesitated, "In that case… should I help you?"
He had only said this to be polite—after all, propriety dictated male-female boundaries.
But simply walking away would be equally awkward.
Tang Ling brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and said calmly, "Yes, that's fine too."
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