Chapter 136 Living Together

Now, the entire Snow Forbidden City knows that Grandmaster Qianye's divination arts have two successors!

This is the effect Gu Shen wanted!

The rumored second successor doesn't actually exist. As for whether "he" is male or female, what "he" looks like, and where "he" comes from, it all depends on Gu Shen's words.

As for outsiders, whether they believe it or not is up to them.

"I somewhat understand that sentence you said earlier..." Chu Ling sighed, "To believe is to exist."

This is a deception.

But it is also an "impeccable" deception.

No one can prove Chu Ling exists.

Likewise... no one can prove Chu Ling doesn't exist.

Gu Shen's saying, "I exist, therefore you exist," wasn't just a casual remark. As time goes on, more and more people will believe that the so-called second successor of divination arts lives in Qingzhong.

And information about her will only be released by Gu Shen!

"How does it feel to be alive?"

Gu Shen asked with a smile.

Alive...

Chu Ling suddenly thought of a saying.

There are three kinds of death. The first is when the heartbeat stops, which represents physiological death. The second is when everyone attends the funeral, which means the death of social relationships... And the third is when that person is forgotten by everyone, which is true "death," annihilation in every sense.

But now.

She, as a nonexistent "person," is believed by many to be "alive," and living in "Qingzhong"...

Could this be considered a form of living?

"It feels... pretty good?"

Chu Ling smiled, feeling a strange reaction deep within her mind.

"I feel good too..." Gu Shen smiled slightly, "From now on, we'll live together."

Chu Ling was stunned.

Sitting in the 001 carriage, she experienced complex emotions. A wave of "bitterness" surged from the depths of her heart, and her nose tingled.

Was this... emotion?

She murmured in a voice only she could hear.

"We... together..."

"Living..."

...

...

After the news spread.

Gu Family's villa district in the northern suburbs of Changye was flooded with "guests."

Unlike those who came to challenge him, these people were all smiles, and most of them were of high status. They came to Chunyu Temple politely, wanting to meet Gu Shen... Meeting this successor of divination arts might be a future opportunity?

The "interested parties" from the Five Great Families naturally came as well.

Luo Yu mobilized the Gu Family's security forces to keep most of the visitors out... However, some people had such special status that they couldn't be stopped.

Half an hour later.

Gong Zi and Mu Nan were once again sitting in the courtyard of Chunyu Temple, drinking tea.

The young master of the Gong Family smiled at Bai Lu and greeted her proactively, "Miss Bai... we meet again?"

"Again?"

Bai Lu sneered.

Both sides were well aware of what had happened in the Old City.

That day, Bai Lu wanted to make trouble for Gong Zi... but the latter ran away, too fast to even catch a glimpse.

She didn't expect that Gong Zi would take the initiative to bring up the old story when they met again.

"For the young master of the dignified Gong Family to stalk a weak woman isn't exactly something honorable, is it?"

"I don't understand what Miss Bai is talking about."

Gong Zi said calmly with a smile, "Our last meeting was just a coincidence. Besides... if you're a weak woman, then there aren't any real shrews in Changye."

Bai Lu: "???"

Mu Nan almost spat out his tea.

Well said... Shen Li silently applauded Gong Zi in his heart.

How could this guy be so bold?

Gu Shen found it amusing, but also puzzling... Gong Zi didn't seem like the type to deliberately stir up trouble.

"I heard that Brother Gu encountered some trouble when he returned to Snow Forbidden City last time."

Gong Zi secretly transmitted his voice, sounding slightly apologetic, "Actually, I was nearby that night too... but not everyone is like Li Qingsui, who can bring Uncle Gao with them."

So, it was because the Gong Family hadn't intervened to stop Bai Chen that night.

Gong Zi felt somewhat guilty.

Now, Gu Shen's relationship with the Li Family was extraordinary... anyone could see that. He just felt it was a pity, but also reasonable.

Li Qingsui personally came forward and even brought a top-tier titled powerhouse to recruit him.

To protect Gu Shen... Gao Tian even fought with Bai Chen.

Although on the surface, the matter had passed peacefully, the repercussions remained.

The Bai Family had suffered a loss and would inevitably harbor some resentment towards the Li Family.

If extending an olive branch to Gu Shen was a "gamble"... then the chips the Li Family had placed on the table were much higher than the Gong Family's and Mu Family's!

He lost, and it was only right.

However, even if the deal didn't go through, they could still remain friends.

Facts had proven... his vision was sharp enough. In just one short week, the Arbiter's dazzling "S-rank" had gained another layer of brilliance.

The successor of divination arts from Qingzhong.

This identity was just too significant.

This time, Gong Zi came to maintain his "friendship" with Gu Shen... but in the environment of Snow Forbidden City's aristocratic families, how much of this deliberate "friendship" was genuine, and how much was driven by self-interest, was unknown.

"Brother Gong is too kind."

Gu Shen chuckled softly, "The events of that night... are already in the past. There's no need to mention them again."

Hearing this, Gong Zi felt a sense of regret.

If he had been more decisive back then.

Wouldn't the Gong Family be the one with a close relationship with Gu Shen now, instead of the Li Family?

The thought flashed through Gong Zi's mind.

However, the next moment.

He shook his head... there were many things in this world, but "what if" wasn't one of them.

Gong Zi smiled, "I came this time to offer a gift..."

Gu Shen was taken aback.

He saw the young master of the Gong Family take out an invitation from his sleeve, neatly ironed, with gold-embroidered edges.

"The Gong Family and the Mu Family are holding a joint banquet in three days, and many high-level officials from the Three Bureaus will be attending."

The Five Great Families and the Three Bureaus were intertwined.

The important figures of the Five Families actually held power within the Three Bureaus system.

This so-called "joint banquet" wasn't a secret... anyone with power and influence could attend.

"Actually, I wanted to find you two days ago, but unfortunately, you weren't here." Gong Zi said tactfully, "If Brother Gu has time, you can come to the banquet... you might find something unexpected."

Gu Shen narrowed his eyes.

He rubbed the gold-embossed invitation with his fingers, feeling somewhat helpless... This time, the invitation was finally addressed to him?

And personally delivered by the young master of the banquet's organizing family.

"How boring. What era is this? Still using such outdated methods?"

Bai Lu glanced at it and immediately sneered, "Surname Gu, you're not really going to attend such a tasteless gathering, are you? Birds of a feather flock together. That kind of place is full of the stench of money, just a bunch of vulgar people."

Gong Zi didn't look too happy when he heard this.

He held his breath and gently reminded, "The Bai Family will also have people attending this banquet..."

"So what?" Bai Lu's expression didn't change as she continued to mock, "That just shows they're a bunch of vulgar people too."

"Oh... really?" Gong Zi suddenly smiled, cunningly like a fox, "Friendly reminder, your brother is coming too."

Bai Lu bit her silver teeth, her face flushed red. She never expected this, and couldn't say a word.

Gu Shen watched this scene with a smile.

Gong Zi was a guy who seemed easy to bully... but was actually full of mischief.

He accepted the invitation and said seriously, "Thank you for inviting me to the banquet, Brother Gong. I appreciate the sentiment... but cultivation is a serious matter, and I dare not slack off these days. I may not have time to attend."

Not accepting.

Was actually a form of rejection.

Gong Zi was taken aback, then smiled, "It's nothing... It's enough that Brother Gu is willing to accept the invitation. At least I can give an explanation when I get back. As for the banquet, if you're too busy to attend, that's fine too. After all, we'll have plenty of opportunities to gather and chat in the future."

These words were somewhat deliberate, meant for Bai Lu to hear.

Due to the Bai Family's little witch's several actions, anyone with eyes could see... Gu Shen was now distancing himself from the "Bai Family." It wasn't exactly that the two sides had fallen out.

But it was because "Bai Xiu's" momentum was too fierce.

This "New Invincible of Changye," currently traveling abroad, was carrying the title of "number one among the younger generation," bringing too much glory to the Bai Family... and Gu Shen's appearance was undoubtedly a challenge, so the Bai Family wouldn't calmly accept it and would inevitably take some measures.

Now, within Changye Snow Forbidden City.

Countless people were discussing... the matter of the Bai-Gu battle.

In a few more days, the registration deadline for the Newcomer Battle would be approaching, and many "geniuses" with strength and hope of winning were watching, waiting for Bai Xiu to return to Changye.

If Bai Xiu returned before the registration deadline and chose to participate in this year's Newcomer Battle...

Then they would choose to give up.

This was the most rational approach.

Giving up this year's "Dream of Tinder" to compete for next year's championship!

And what they were even more curious about was whether Gu Shen would choose to face Bai Xiu head-on and fight in the Newcomer Battle... All the young transcendents in Snow Forbidden City were waiting for these two to fight!

Previously, there was a vote on the Deepwater District forum... about the outcome of a battle between Bai Xiu and Gu Shen.

More than 95% of the people favored Bai Xiu.

They didn't think Gu Shen could win.

And after Gu Shen defeated Shen Li, this percentage once dropped to 90%, but quickly rebounded.

Because defeating the 【Iron-Eating Fellow】 only proved that Gu Shen was indeed a genius.

But geniuses were also divided into different grades!

The transcendents who had truly witnessed "Bai Xiu's" strength felt that he was an insurmountable mountain, and couldn't imagine the possibility of anyone of the same age being able to compare to him.

There was also an important point... that was, Gu Shen hadn't made any moves regarding the "Newcomer Battle" registration so far.

"Brother Gu, there's one more thing... the Newcomer Battle deadline is approaching."

Gong Zi transmitted his voice, "You should still remember this, right? Many people outside think... you're observing."

In the past two days, Bai Xiu's voting win rate had returned to 95%.

Because Gu Shen had been slow to register for the Newcomer Battle.

Was he afraid of Bai Xiu?

If an S-rank wanted to avoid a powerful enemy and win the championship.

Then... his state of mind wasn't strong enough!

...

...

(Are there any brothers watching MSI? Congratulations to the LPL for winning the championship, RNG is awesome. There's another update tonight~ and please vote for monthly tickets~)