Chapter 166 Invitation
　　
Gu Shen looked at the hand that Gong Zi extended.

The hot vapor from the clear water hotpot rose, and the hand passed through the mist, reaching in front of him.

Rather than saying… the hand passed through the mist, it was more like the mist avoided Gong Zi's hand.

"How can you help?"

Gu Shen didn't extend his hand, but opened his mouth with a smile.

Gong Zi was very patient and said slowly, "However the Gong family wishes to help, the Gong family can help… The Bai family has had extremely strong luck these past few years. The Bai Xiu they have cultivated has already gained a reputation of invincibility. Now that you, as an even more prominent rising star, will very likely face him in battle in the future."

"Although the cultivation resources within the Tribunal are certainly abundant, acquiring them is inevitably subject to various rules and restrictions."

Gong Zi said sincerely, "I heard that you live in the Gu Family villa area in the northern suburbs. The person in charge there is Luo Yu. Let's take him as an example… He is nominally a genius commander of the headquarters, but in reality, Luo Yu's transcendent cultivation resources, as well as the mundane things and power he wields, the most important part of their source, must be from the Gu family.

Gu Shen fell into thought.

"This place is different from the Great Capital… This place is more ancient." Gong Zi thought for a moment and changed his words, "Perhaps using 'old' to describe it would be more apt. If you want to take root here, relying solely on one person's strength is very difficult… very difficult."

Gong Zi spoke very euphemistically.

But in fact, the Five Great Families were towering mountains that could not be surpassed.

The Great Capital District was a new child created by the "Deep Sea" era, a new emperor wearing a crown.

And the Nagano District was an old man already seated on the throne; it had its own unique rules.

"Moreover, the hand I'm extending today… doesn't just represent the Gong family," Gong Zi said earnestly.

"Also the Mu family." Mu Nan's goggles were clouded with mist. He stopped eating braised beef, burped softly, and said with a solemn expression.

Gu Shen narrowed his eyes, sizing up the two young men sitting across from him.

"Forming alliances is the way to protect oneself."

Gong Zi lowered his voice and said, "With such sincerity… does Brother Gu still need to consider it?"

"Indeed, very sincere."

Gu Shen thought for a moment, and said regretfully, "But I'm sorry, I can't take this hand, whether it's from the Gong family or the Mu family…"

Gong Zi was stunned.

"Because the Bai family also extended a hand to me earlier."

Gu Shen said calmly.

Gong Zi recalled the scene on the Ninghe Bridge.

The Bai family's young lady extended a hand to Gu Shen… and Gu Shen also refused.

"For me… holding the hand of any of you is the same as holding trouble."

Gu Shen smiled and said, "Brother Gong, Brother Mu, thank you for your hospitality, but I must decline joining your alliance. Of course, I won't join the Bai family or the Li family either. I just want to cultivate quietly by myself."

This was an unexpected answer from Gong Zi, but also a reasonable response.

"I respect your wishes." Gong Zi smiled. "If the deal doesn't work out, friendship remains. Of course, today's meal isn't a deal either. If you change your mind, Brother Gu can always come find me."

"Also…"

"Soon, there will be a Newcomer Battle in Snow Forbidden City (Xue Jin Cheng). Any transcendent under the age of twenty can participate…"

Gu Shen laughed halfway through hearing this.

"I won't participate in the so-called 'Newcomer Battle'…"

He shook his head, directly stating his attitude, "I wish Brother Gong success and may you seize the top spot."

In a week, the materials for repairing the Qing family's array patterns would arrive. At that time, he should be busy… As for the so-called Newcomer Battle, it was not within his consideration at all.

The Nagano guys were belligerent, eager to compete. The Newcomer Battle was just right. Gu Shen only hoped that things would quiet down around him soon.

Gong Zi was a little embarrassed and coughed softly, asking, "Doesn't Brother Gu even want to ask about the rewards?"

Gu Shen's attitude seemed to be completely indifferent to the Newcomer Battle…

In fact, he had always regarded "Bai Xiu" as his ultimate enemy, and after Gu Shen came to Nagano, Gong Zi vaguely felt that he might have another enemy.

"The reward is…?" Gu Shen asked, playing along.

"A wisp of 'Fireseed' (Huo Zhong) enlightenment dream."

Gong Zi said in a deep voice, "This is a fortune left in Snow Forbidden City by Mr. Gu Changzhi twenty years ago, when he had not yet fallen into slumber. There are a total of thirty wisps of Fireseed enlightenment dreams… perhaps he realized that he was about to fall into a long sleep, so these thirty wisps of flame were divided into thirty years, and each year they are gifted to the champion of the Newcomer Battle."

"A Fireseed enlightenment dream?"

Gu Shen, who had not been interested before, suddenly became interested.

"You also know… that those who can bear the power of the Fireseed are one in ten thousand divine beings." Complex emotions flashed in Gong Zi's eyes. He whispered, "The reason why Nagano has Five Great Families is because in past years, all five families have produced a 'Godseat (Shen Zuo)' who wielded a Fireseed."

"In ancient times, the Federal Government screened 'Fireseed candidates' and conducted recruitment worldwide… Under extremely harsh conditions, those with great perseverance still failed. Among them were many titled-level experts."

"Among the many tests that these people needed to undergo, one was the 'Fireseed Enlightenment Dream'."

Gu Shen frowned and asked, "Passing this enlightenment dream means possessing the potential to fuse with a Fireseed?"

"Theoretically… that's the case. But it's just one of many indicators." Gong Zi smiled and said, "Very tempting, right? Even if it's just one indicator, it still stumped countless geniuses."

Over the years, the geniuses who have won the Newcomer Battle in Snow Forbidden City have all tried to comprehend that wisp of Fireseed dream with full confidence…"

"They all failed?" Gu Shen was a little surprised.

"They all failed."

Gong Zi took a deep breath and said, "The reason it's called the Newcomer Battle… is because everyone only has one chance to participate. Of course, for those who truly want to win the championship, other rewards are not important, except for the Fireseed Dream."

The conditions for this Newcomer Battle were quite harsh. Some who awakened transcendent talents late… simply didn't qualify to participate.

In reality, the elites of the Five Great Families did not lack resources or sealed items… What they truly valued should be the "Fireseed" enlightenment dream, preserved in accordance with the will of the Godseats.

Gu Shen smiled and said, "Then it will probably be difficult for Brother Gong to win."

Too bad.

Nagano had a "Little Invincible."

If Bai Xiu, the one the Bai family was hyping up, participated in the Newcomer Battle, then it should be a crushing victory.

Judging from the domineering aura displayed by Bai Xiu's breathing technique, this guy was very likely an admirer of Gu Changzhi.

How could such a monster give up the Fireseed Dream?

"I'm still observing…"

Gong Zi was silent for a moment and said, "If Bai Xiu participates this year, I might choose to participate next year… Although it sounds a little embarrassing, at least I will have the opportunity to comprehend the Fireseed Dream next year."

"Bai Xiu is training in Jiangbei and has not yet returned… The entire Nagano is waiting for news of his return." Gong Zi said with a complex expression, "Of course, now there is one more person. You."