"With death, there is new life."

"It's like sleeping. You close your eyes, open them... We forget some things. We set off with new memories. Century after century, new life after new life." Gu Shen said calmly, "I need to state something here. These words are not mine... they are what the priests of Southern Continent say. Personally, I have always been a staunch..."

He wanted to say atheist.

But Gu Shen swallowed those three words back.

"Okay... perhaps these priests have a little bit of a point..." He sighed softly.

The funeral ended.

The already light rain grew lighter.

The sparsely populated Little Barren Mountain gradually emptied. Zhao Qi remained kneeling before the wooden tablet, while the others left one after another.

Someone gently patted Gu Shen on the shoulder.

"...Teacher." He turned around and saw the old man with his cane. This time, Zhou Jiren was not dressed in a white suit. He had changed into a solemn black suit. Just the night before, the old fellow had sworn that he would not attend the funeral because he didn't like sad farewells or gatherings.

But today, Zhou Jiren came anyway.

"Don't misunderstand... I'm not here to mourn that old fellow Zhao Xilai..."

Zhou Jiren glanced at the wooden tablet, subconsciously defending himself.

Gu Shen noticed that he was holding an unlit cigar between his fingers. It was even slightly damp. He hadn't seen his teacher at the funeral earlier... but now, this attire, and the damp cigar, were enough to show that he was a hypocrite.

"Alright, alright..."

Zhou Jiren looked at his disciple's expression, sighed, and said softly, "Maybe it's just that I'm getting old and can't stand these scenes of parting... I watched from afar earlier, and this funeral wasn't as heavy as I thought it would be."

He eagerly squeezed under Gu Shen's umbrella, lowering his voice. "Don't close the umbrella... look in that direction."

He pointed lightly with the cigar between his fingers.

Gu Shen followed his teacher's gaze and saw a tall, upright figure who hadn't left... It was a weathered man with half his face covered in scars. Even without a word, his appearance gave off a great sense of oppression.

Gu Shen had noticed this guy earlier for one very important reason, apart from his height.

His aura.

This man had an aura of "icy steel," out of sync with everyone around him. From the moment he arrived at the top of Barren Mountain, he hadn't interacted with anyone for even a second, not even eye contact.

It was as if the whole world was superfluous.

And this kind of person... his gaze was fixed on Zhao Qi, who was still kneeling.

"This is?"

"Qianjin City in Northern Continent. The Snowcast Duke has three very powerful confidants, known as the 'Three Hounds' by outsiders."

"...Three Hounds?" This was the first time Gu Shen had heard this title.

"Utterly loyal to their master, and willing to go crazy and risk their lives... what else could they be but hounds?" Zhou Jiren said lightly, "This is the infamous Mad Hound, Duan Feng."

"People from Northern Continent are here..." Gu Shen looked at Zhao Qi, narrowing his eyes. "Are they here to take him to the fortress?"

Although the will had been clearly announced.

There were still many people who couldn't believe it... Would the old master Zhao really send his son to Northern Continent to suffer? He was probably just putting on a show.

Gu Shen believed that Zhao Xilai was capable of it.

But he didn't expect the people from Northern Continent to be so quick.

"Luo Yin City Fortress, the third fortress on the western side of the main wing of the Northern Continent fortresses. It's considered a very large fortress... This is where Zhao Qi will be sent next." Zhou Jiren said expressionlessly, "The geographical location of this fortress is very important. It's the only way to the 'Arch Point.' If the 'Arch Point Line' led by Gu Fort Fortress falls one day, the main wing fortresses will need to take over."

The overall outline map of the Northern Continent fortresses immediately appeared in Gu Shen's mind, who was in a spiritual link.

Chu Ling had thoughtfully added labels to several key points.

The entire Northern Continent fortress presented a huge arc running through the east and west, like a pair of wings, and the middle arch point was extremely prominent, like a bird's head... This was the Arch Point.

The most "dangerous" place in the Arch Point was "Gu Fort." It was said that it snowed all year round and the climate was extremely harsh. Even though the soldiers stationed in Gu Fort had extremely strong willpower, many were still injured by the natural climate every year.

"Is this for real?"

Gu Shen was a little surprised. There were many fortresses in Northern Continent... The overall environment and atmosphere were very serious. Sending Zhao Qi to a fortress was already a very severe punishment, but sending him to Luo Yin City Fortress, which was not a place where normal soldiers could stay.

"It is said that Zhao Xilai personally called the Lin family about this. Perhaps it was his request."

Zhou Jiren smiled sarcastically. "Or perhaps it was because of the bill... Did the Snowcast Duke decide to help his old friend properly educate his wayward son? But to actually send such a confidant here, is he afraid that Zhao Qi will run away?"

Gu Shen silently watched the Wild Hound step forward, come to the wooden tablet, and say something to Zhao Qi.

The filial son, who had been kowtowing for a long time, looked up, his face full of sadness, and said something in return... But in the end, he only delayed for a while. When almost everyone had left the mountain, Zhao Qi was grabbed by the neck by the Wild Hound and dragged away.

The Wild Hound did not leave directly.

Instead, he walked towards Gu Shen's direction.

This was a bit unexpected.

Was he coming to find him?

The closer he got... the more Gu Shen felt the pressure this man brought.

Gu Shen subconsciously raised the umbrella higher so he could see the man's face clearly. The left side of his face was full of scars, making him look extremely ferocious.

"..." The Wild Hound met Gu Shen's eyes.

But only for a moment.

He ignored the young man.

On his body, killing intent radiated out on its own, forming a dense, substantial aura of pressure like needles. But when it approached Gu Shen's umbrella, this aura of pressure was gently resolved by an invisible force.

The person the Wild Hound was really looking for... was Zhou Jiren.

This seemingly arrogant and savage man spoke.

But his voice was not as violent as expected. Instead, it was very calm, and could even be described as gentle.

"The Snowcast Duke asked me to bring something to you..."

Facing the Grand Arbiter of Eastern Continent, even the Wild Hound used honorifics.

Zhou Jiren narrowed his eyes, a vague sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

The Wild Hound stretched out his palm. A strand of fine hair was wrapped around his little finger.

"?!"

Gu Shen recognized this strand of hair... It was Senior Luo's natal sealed object!

Since their separation at Big Vine, Senior Luo and Senior Zhong had gone on a mission together... and there had been no news.

Did they... go to Northern Continent?

"This is a strand of hair that Lord [Heavenly Eye] recently sent to the fortress. It contains a trace of spiritual power, which will shatter after reading."

The Wild Hound said gently, "I am ordered by the Snowcast Duke to deliver this strand of hair to you... Please accept it."