Chapter 1 The Remnants of Embers

The Guwen Association was never a powerful organization well-known to the world.

Before they could ignite a true "prairie fire," they were extinguished.

As remnants, it was already quite difficult to ensure they stubbornly continued to burn.

Let alone... another prairie fire?

In the small courtyard of Mount Xuankong, Gu Shen was silent for a moment.

He indeed needed to be mentally prepared for what Chu Ling had said.

He had been preparing for something similar all year... his cultivation realm, the responsibilities he wanted to shoulder – these were not things that could be improved or taken on just by saying so.

"So..."

Seeing Gu Shen no longer speaking, Chu Ling asked softly, "A week later, the list will be out... do you want to see it?"

"Yes."

"Of course."

Gu Shen's answer was without hesitation.

He silently clenched his fist and said hoarsely, "Just the guy codenamed '031'... you don't need to look for him."

"I probably know who he is."

……

……

Gu Shen once again requested an "audience with the Empress."

After the Divine Arbiter left the small courtyard, this was the only important matter left for him.

But the Legion Commander's reply was, "Wait."

So Gu Shen had no choice but to continue his secluded cultivation in the small courtyard. But for him, staying in the Mount Xuankong courtyard wasn't much of a hindrance, because even if he returned to Dongzhou, it would still be a straight line between the Shrine Mountain and the Qingzhong Cemetery.

Cultivation was such a dull and tasteless thing.

However, Gu Shen had already found the right "direction of comprehension," and he began to focus on exploring his "Burning Fire."

If Mu Wanqiu's guess was correct—

Then he still had a chance to comprehend a "domain prototype"!

His "Burning Fire" didn't have an exclusive domain yet!

While he was cultivating in seclusion in the small courtyard, Chu Ling reminded Gu Shen that there was an "important" email in his inbox.

It was Duke Xiangchen, sending an invitation once again.

Due to the pressure from the Divine Arbiter, Gu Shen had been cultivating behind closed doors for a while, declining all invitations. Those "Beizhou dignitaries" who were waiting and watching were also quite tactful and stopped bothering him. After the Divine Arbiter left, they became active again.

Gu Shen wouldn't pay attention to these guys.

But he agreed to meet with "Duke Xiangchen."

This was actually an invitation issued by "Xiangchen" on behalf of his disciple, Li Bing. The gathering place was also in Xiangchen's manor.

Gu Shen agreed not only because this Duke had a good reputation and excellent character.

More importantly—

He had his eye on the "Guwen" in Duke Xiangchen's house!

Duke Xiangchen excelled at teaching disciples, and he had disciples all over the world. He was even an old friend of Qianye... Among the five continents, there were only a few people who could be "friends" with Master Qianye, and they could be counted on one's fingers.

……

……

According to the agreed time and place, Gu Shen arrived on time.

Duke Xiangchen's manor was in the suburbs outside the main city of Central City, not far from Mount Xuankong.

This Duke didn't pursue "power" or "status."

So his manor, apart from a few attendants and servants bestowed by the royal family, could be considered quite simple. Upon entering the garden, a special person led Gu Shen forward, passing by several flowerbeds and a rockery, symbolically "taking a little sightseeing tour," before arriving at the main hall. Duke Xiangchen was sitting in the main seat, leisurely waiting.

As for the true initiator of this invitation, Li Bing, the resident of "Dongning City," was standing respectfully by his teacher's side.

"Duke Xiangchen."

Gu Shen entered the hall and greeted with a smile, using the usual etiquette of Changye, "Mr. Li."

Xiangchen smiled and stroked his beard, signaling Gu Shen not to stand on ceremony and quickly sit down.

Li Bing, who was beside him, was flattered by the title "Mr. Li" and quickly bowed in return... This young man's expression was very respectful, showing that he respected his teacher and valued etiquette, and even the returning etiquette was strictly in accordance with the standards of Snow Forbidden City.

These details were all seen by Gu Shen.

After he took his seat, hot tea had already been prepared on the table beside him.

After taking a small sip, Gu Shen didn't beat around the bush and asked with a smile, "Duke Xiangchen, I wonder what is the purpose of your invitation today?"

If you wanted to invite, you didn't have to do it at a banquet.

With the status of "Duke Xiangchen," it wouldn't be too difficult to see him.

Inviting him directly in front of so many people was a bit strange...

"Mr. Gu is a smart man." Xiangchen smiled and said, "Actually, today's invitation is not for me, but for my disciple..."

He stood up and reintroduced Gu Shen, "Li Bing, due to the Second Legion Commander 'Silver Fox's' appreciation, was transferred to Dongning City Fortress last year to be responsible for guarding and commanding. This is a small fortress, although not large, it is a 'key city' responsible for connecting the Right Wing and the Flank."

Gu Shen listened carefully and glanced at him.

The young man named "Li Bing" had clear eyes and a youthful smile on his face, and his age seemed to be similar to his own... Being able to sit in the position of "Dongning City Garrison" at this age was probably quite capable.

However, being able to attend the banquet at the Central City Underground Research Institute was enough to prove his excellence.

But what did this have to do with him?

A trace of confusion appeared in his eyes.

"Mr. Gu, actually the purpose of this invitation... is very simple."

Xiangchen saw Gu Shen's meaning, he cut to the chase and said, "In recent years, the number of transcendents in the four major legions of Beizhou, plus the Investigation Legion... has been constantly decreasing. As the environment becomes more and more severe, the difficulty of sortie missions is also increasing. There is a lack of manpower in various fortresses and within each legion."

Hearing this, Gu Shen narrowed his eyes.

He probably guessed the content of this invitation—

"In the past, Guangming City would transport a large number of 'transcendents' to the fortresses." Xiangchen looked complicated and slowly said, "But since a few years ago, the number of reinforcements from Xizhou has also been decreasing. Guangming City has begun to cultivate a large number of 'Divine Arbiters'. The garrison pressure in the Beizhou fortresses has increased. The council has discussed it many times, but has not been able to improve the situation..."

Gu Shen couldn't help but sigh softly in his heart.

Duke Xiangchen was really a "saint."

Hoping that the council could improve this situation... was a bit too naive.

The relationship between the Lin family and Guangming City was no longer what it used to be. The Guangming God's decisions in recent years were enough to prove this... If he really wanted to tie his interests to the Lin family, then how could the Guangming Goddess have released the "repudiation of marriage"?... With Gu Shen's understanding of the Gods, everything that happened could be speculated with "conspiracy theories."

After all... in a sense, the Gods were the supreme chess players, the masters who controlled everything.

All the "changes" that occurred in this game were allowed by him and were things he wanted to happen.

"So, you want to alleviate the pressure through 'Dongzhou'."

Gu Shen pointed out Xiangchen's intention and slowly said, "And finding me is a better and more effective way than finding others..."

Now, in Dongzhou, the north and south are respectively Huazhi and the Five Great Families, controlling the situation.

And if you understand the history of Dongzhou's development in recent years, you will find... Gu Shen is the only key figure who can "radiate" influence to the two super-districts of Changye and Dadu.

Born poor in Qinghe, Huazhi absolutely protects him, Qianye Master's disciple, successor of divination...

Gu Shen has absolutely first-class "influence" and "appeal" in the nine districts of Dongzhou.

"This is my idea."

Li Bing stood up and said softly, "Mr. Gu Shen, actually your trip to Beizhou is already a great 'promotion'. As long as you are willing to call on the young people of Dongzhou to come to the Beizhou Legion to temper themselves, then the pressure on the fortresses will soon be relieved."

Gu Changzhi died.

Dongzhou needs a new "soul"—

That new "soul," the current Baizhu God, is not very suitable. He is an old man from the same era as Gu Changzhi, and as the tide passes, Dongzhou needs a new "hero". This hero is best a young man.

This hero now has a suitable candidate.

"Forgive me for being blunt, you will become a living 'legend'."

Li Bing looked directly into Gu Shen's eyes. He finally got his wish and saw this young genius who came from Qinghe together. His voice was still a little uncontrollably excited, "I understand your deeds, those in Dongzhou don't need to be said... You came to Beizhou, solved the 'Gubao' mission, miraculously survived the storm with the ace members of the Investigation Legion, and also lifted the 'spiritual crisis' of the Gubao Fortress, then you and the Beizhou captains went to 'Duolu River' to perform the mission, and captured the God with His Majesty..."

"Stop, stop... stop for a moment."

Gu Shen couldn't help but raise his hand to interrupt Li Bing.

Gu Shen didn't like this kind of flattery.

He had never thought that he would become a "legend" or receive praise when he did these things... and there was obviously a hint of fanaticism in the eyes of the young man in front of him. If he didn't interrupt, Li Bing would probably become more and more "passionate."

Gu Shen frowned and said, "Mr. Li, you don't need to say any more... If you want to promote in Dongzhou and attract more transcendents to enter Beizhou, I don't object. But there is no need to use what I have done in Beizhou as 'propaganda' material. If the transcendents of Dongzhou really come to the Beizhou Fortress, then they should not be pursuing a 'legend' created by someone, they should have their own awareness."

"..."

Li Bing was slightly stunned.

"Xiao Li, calm down."

With Xiangchen's reminder, he realized his gaffe, lowered his head again, and silently stood back.

"Mr. Gu, please forgive me... he is still too young after all."

Xiangchen quickly stood up to ease the atmosphere. The Beizhou Duke, who was old, said in a gentle voice, "So, about this matter... what do you mean?"

"I will help, but I will never help to attract. I can ensure that this issue can attract the attention of Her Majesty the Empress and the Baizhu God, and the two of them will contact each other separately."

Gu Shen said calmly, "On the issue of promoting the progress of the continent, the personal will of people like you and me cannot play a decisive role... The more fanatic, the easier it is to make mistakes. I think it is not only Mr. Li who needs to be calm, but also Duke Xiangchen."