Chapter 1 Normal Speed

At the normal speed of a source-energy boat, it would take about a full day to fly from Fortress Gutenberg to Central City.

Lin Lin's airship model was already small, but with only two passengers, the interior space seemed particularly spacious.

Previously, when sailing with A'liuer, Gu Shen had been in a state of meditative practice.

But traveling with Lin Lin, he didn't need to put on airs, nor did he need to be polite.

Gu Shen walked straight to the armory, pondering the Northern Continent military's "cutting-edge technology products."

"Whoa… this thing is a bit novel."

Gu Shen's gaze locked onto the "new type of weapon" hanging on the wall.

"Source-energy hand cannon, limited to short and medium-range use, with much greater destructive power than a source-energy pistol, but also greater recoil." Lin Lin said indifferently, "Haven't you seen it in the Eastern Continent?"

"I really haven't."

Gu Shen honestly shook his head. The Eastern Continent transcendents he had seen engaged in battles that were more personalized. This was the fighting style incubated by the "Three Institutes" system, coordinated by the command post, working together to carry out tasks.

He had seen military source-energy weapons a few times.

But a "hand cannon"... this was the first time.

"If you have the opportunity, you can try it." Lin Lin said, "But not on the boat. If you aim well, this thing can seriously injure a Phase 3 transcendent."

Gu Shen put the hand cannon back.

He examined it for a moment longer. The weapons developed by the Northern Continent military were rich in variety and had extraordinary destructive power. Each source-energy boat was a mobile armory, and these source-energy weapons, strong logic weapons, were standard equipment on the boat... After seeing this, a confusion arose in Gu Shen's heart.

Gu Shen had not participated in the previous "Storm Resistance War."

But Chu Ling subsequently sent back images of the Great Wall.

Thousands of source-energy boats arrived, and endless firepower was poured out, shattering the storm!

This battle was "clean and neat," completely a suppression of firepower.

If the Great Wall's existence was to resist the "source-matter tide," then why was it necessary to deploy so many soldiers? It seemed that Shenhai alone could win such a war.

Lin Lin glanced at Gu Shen. As if this guy could read minds, he said, "Many years ago, when the Iron Dome Emperor resisted the storm, there was no such thing as Shenhai. And even longer ago, we didn't even have fortresses, and could only pile up 'Great Walls' with flesh and blood."

Gu Shen immediately understood Lin Lin's meaning.

In recent years, humanity had ushered in rapid technological growth. The Northern Continent military's weapons, transcendents, and the quality of its legions had all experienced an explosive leap in growth!

But guarding the Great Wall was a discipline and habit that had been maintained for hundreds of years.

"The bill to develop and popularize fully automatic weapons was proposed as early as twenty years ago." Lin Lin said quietly, "Imagine, above the Great Wall, countless Tianyan (Sky Eyes) are suspended, and countless source-energy cannons stand tall. Behind the buffer zone is another buffer zone. If a 'source-matter tide' occurs, we don't need to be nervous… We only need to press a button, wait for Shenhai to solve the crisis, and the whole process requires no action, only hiding far away to replenish ammunition. Doesn't such a future sound wonderful?"

Gu Shen fell into thought.

He slowly shook his head.

"No… such a future is not wonderful."

The vast majority of people in the Five Continents already firmly believed that humanity's future would become better because of Shenhai.

And in fact, it was.

Shenhai brought a new round of evolution to humanity.

But if the Northern Continent fortresses implemented this system, it would be equivalent to handing the button of fate over to AI.

This race always needed someone to walk between life and death, to confront wind and snow, to confront darkness on the front lines. They were the whistleblowers of humanity's fate, the strugglers who tightly grasped the line between life and death.

Lin Lin smiled.

"The Northern Continent is using Shenhai, but the Northern Continent doesn't trust Shenhai." The young commodore drank tea, sat in the airship's driver's seat, activated Shenhai's automatic posture, propped his feet up on the big screen, and said with a hint of sarcasm, "To ask us to hand our fate over to a program, a super-brain whose main body cannot be found, is equivalent to pointing a gun at our own heads… The men of the Northern Continent guard this land with blood, not only for all of humanity, but also, to be selfish, for ourselves."

Gu Shen did not think this was selfish.

Today's Five Continents were independent, with their own "systems."

The Northern Continent fought against storms and resisted the erosion of the "Old World," and from whatever perspective… this was a righteous act to defend the fate of all humanity.

So every year, many transcendents came to the Northern Continent to join the legions.

They swore oaths, they grew, they died.

Blood was spilled, and the Great Wall remained.

"So… that bill?"

"Of course, it was rejected." Lin Lin took a sip of tea, paused slightly as he spoke, lowered his eyes, and said, "Rejected by me… by Her Majesty the Great Empress."

If a God Seat came forward.

Then… this kind of bill could indeed not be promoted.

Members of the highest council had the power of veto.

"Of course, putting that reason aside… there are other factors." Lin Lin's expression became solemn. He looked at Gu Shen and asked seriously, "Do you think there really is only frost and storm in the Old World?"

This question immediately silenced Gu Shen.

Before setting off for the Northern Continent.

His answer was affirmative.

In a place like the Old World, no creature could survive. Besides frost and storm, there was only endless chaos and shattered order.

But now…

He had seen the golden spike flower at the end of the Labyrinth.

"Look at this guy."

Lin Lin stretched out his palm, patted the big dog that was sleeping obediently under him, and said quietly, "As black spots continue to breed within the Five Continents, more and more disordered transcendent source-matter appears, and the phenomenon of transcendent awakening has become more and more serious in recent years… Even dogs can awaken, so the possibility of other creatures 'awakening' cannot be ruled out."

The Labrador Retriever raised its head and looked at its master with a resentful expression.

Gu Shen noticed that after boarding the airship, this big dog had been listless.

"It doesn't seem very energetic?"

"Motion sickness, fear of heights, plus it ate too much this morning."

Lin Lin's voice was calm: "This guy is the dog I raised from childhood. After awakening, it didn't get any abilities that people should have, but it got a bunch of diseases that only people get."

Gu Shen: "…"

"Who can guarantee that no creatures survive in the Old World?" Lin Lin's eyes were vacant, and he murmured softly, "For so many years, the investigation legions have been constantly carrying out missions outside the border, because everyone is willing to believe that there are 'oases' in the broken world… There is fresh oxygen and water, there is plenty of sunlight, no black spots will breed, and it is an eternal home."

"Actually… the existence of a real oasis is the most terrifying thing."

He turned to look at Gu Shen: "Suppose there is such a place, with water, with sunlight, extremely livable… then that kind of place should have some kind of creature growing there before humans set foot in it. Humans are crossing the Old World to find them, and they should also be looking for humans. So if one day we find an oasis… is that really a good thing?"

Chu Ling, who was listening quietly, spoke at this moment, saying in Gu Shen's mind: "I read a great science fiction story, which is somewhat similar to what Lin Lin said… If that's the case, after finding the 'oasis,' the fate of mankind will most likely be very tragic."

"From the day I entered Gutenberg, I told myself… there is more than just storm in the Old World." Lin Lin narrowed his eyes, and his voice became cold: "Perhaps one day… there will be other things."

Lin Lin's words were like a bucket of cold water, waking Gu Shen up.

He had overlooked the behind-the-scenes significance of the "golden spike flower's" existence.

Hades had released a life in the Old World… The growth of this life was enough to prove one thing, that is, creatures could survive and grow in the Old World.

In the vast darkness outside the Great Wall, there may be more than one "traveler."

Besides humans.

Perhaps… other creatures were also trekking.

"Master."

At this moment, Gu Shen tried to link to the spiritual sea of the golden spike flower.

Heading south from Gutenberg, he had already entered the Northern Continent's interior… Fortunately, the speed of the spiritual link between the two was still very fast, which made Gu Shen feel a little relieved.

"Why do I sense that your mood is uneasy?"

The great serpent's voice was very respectful.

"The map of the Old World is not yet clear, so do not blindly go north." Gu Shen carefully instructed, "The investigation legion has compiled a relatively complete explorer's map. You can follow the known routes and explore slowly…"

He had separated from the golden spike flower earlier, thinking that this great serpent had thick skin and strong flesh, and as long as it didn't do anything stupid, it wouldn't be in trouble even if it encountered a storm… So he simply let it travel on its own.

But now that he thought about it, this arrangement was a bit rough.

The golden spike flower was stunned and asked in a mellow voice, "Is Master concerned about me?"

It sent back a "route map" after separating from Gu Shen. The path was clear at a glance, following the known route back to the Labyrinth.

It had to be said that the great serpent was very intelligent.

"Master can rest assured that I will not act rashly. There are often auras here that make me feel fear and horror… I have decided to return to the Labyrinth first and start checking from the 'law point' that isolates the end of the Labyrinth." The golden spike flower carefully explained, "If I can't find any clues, I will consider moving into the unknown depths… But it will probably take a long time to find the target."

"Very good." Gu Shen breathed a sigh of relief and said seriously, "If you find anything unusual, link to my spiritual sea immediately."

In fact…

With his current strength, let alone being thousands of miles away, even if he really traveled with the golden spike flower, he couldn't help much.

If the golden spike flower really encountered a major danger and notified Gu Shen… then the only thing Gu Shen could do should be to come and collect the body afterward.

However, these words had a completely different meaning to the other party—

This was a promise from "Hades"!

The golden spike flower was immediately excited and said respectfully, "Thank you, my king, for your grace! I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

It took the initiative to disconnect the link, not disturbing Gu Shen's side.

Gu Shen was silent and felt a little helpless.

The memories this great serpent had absorbed in the Labyrinth seemed a little strange… Why did it seem like it had read too many ancient picture books, calling him "my king" every other word.

…

…

The airship arrived at Central City in the evening.

Lin Lin was not in a hurry to land. He carried Gu Shen around the "imperial city" of the Northern Continent, and from a high altitude, the giant city was even more magnificent than Nagano. Its area was nearly ten times that of Snow Forbidden City. The highly concentrated power of the Northern Continent contracted here. A large number of airships were suspended above the Iron Dome, and the ground of Central City could be seen from the high altitude, presenting a ring-by-ring division of color.

That was the thermal effect after the "Furnace" spread.

The buildings here were extremely high, and there were "suspended giant buildings." In fact, the "foundation" of these giant buildings was ultra-large source-energy boats that were constantly hovering at low altitude. The reason for building them this way… was because the power of the "Furnace" was too strong.

This was originally a winter city, but the Northern Continent Fire Seed melted all the ice and snow and brought endless energy to Central City.

Due to the Empress's enlightened policy, many giant companies within the Five Continents chose to come here, and building giant buildings on source-energy boats also facilitated possible "relocation" in the future.

Gu Shen saw a suspended giant building with the word "Hua Zhi" printed on it.

The airship descended further.

Gu Shen's senses changed again… Rather than saying Central City was "magnificent," it was better to say it was "rough." In comparison, Snow Forbidden City was really like a meticulously carved work of art. After entering Nagano Snow Forbidden City, one would find that every brick and tile was full of a sense of age. Nagano had a long history, and all the buildings had been completely preserved. After a long period of time, it was as beautiful as a painting.

But Central City was different.

War had burned this giant city more than once, and the current "giant buildings" were the latest products of the Shenhai era. This was actually a super-large "future city" similar in style to the Capital.

As night fell, small airships shuttled between the giant buildings like shooting stars.

Turbid air waves spewed out.

Lin Lin's airship slowed down.

Just as he was preparing to stop, a handsome and effeminate face popped up on the main screen.

Duke Zhuxue smiled and said, "Gentlemen, welcome to Central City. I have arranged a welcome banquet. Get off here. Shenhai will help with the docking."

Gu Shen raised his eyebrows.

This connection speed… was really fast. It seemed that his and Lin Lin's every move was being watched by Duke Zhuxue.

It was to be expected.

Nagano had Fengtong (Wind Eyes), and Central City was no exception.

This giant city should reasonably have the most advanced control measures.

Lin Lin did not appreciate it and responded plainly, "Tens of thousands of people enter and leave Central City every day. What virtue or ability do the two of us have to trouble you, a dignified Northern Continent Duke, to come out and greet us? That's not appropriate, is it?"

"There's nothing inappropriate about it."

Duke Zhuxue was not angry.

He smiled and said, "There are others at tonight's banquet."

Lin Chou raised his hand, and the camera capturing the image slowly rose, revealing more of the scene. Behind Duke Zhuxue was a tall and empty banquet hall. Dozens of people had already arrived, and A'liuer and some familiar faces from the Investigation Corps Second Squad could be vaguely seen.

There were also some "famous Northern Continent generals" that he had seen on the Great Wall.